Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Wisconsin Wildlife
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal prion disease affecting deer species, which has negative effects on affected populations and wildlife conservation. Chronic wasting disease is caused by an infectious misfolded protein, called a prion, that can be transmitted directly, from an infected to a susceptible host through close contact, or indirectly, through host contact with prions in the environment. Little is currently known about the environmental transmission pathway, and its importance in disease spread in deer populations. This project investigates environmental transmission of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in southwestern Wisconsin. This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin and Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Units, the University of Wisconsin - Madison, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the National Wildlife Health Center, and the University of Minnesota. This investigation of transmission risk at potential environmental reservoirs will provide results to help guide managers’ decision-making and help focus response efforts on high-impact transmission mechanisms and site types.