Second Positive Case Of Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed In Indiana
February 21, 2025 at 4:23 p.m.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed Indiana’s second positive case of chronic wasting disease (CWD).
CWD is a neurological disease that affects deer, resulting in their eventual death. The positive, wild white-tailed deer was a 2.5-year-old male harvested in Posey County, according to a news release from the DNR on Friday.
CWD has been detected in wild deer in 36 states, including all states bordering Indiana.
During the 2025-26 deer hunting season, DNR will enhance its surveillance efforts in Posey County and the surrounding counties to determine the extent of disease in this area. This will allow biologists to develop a targeted response based on the prevalence of CWD in this part of Indiana. CWD testing will be voluntary for hunters in this area.
“The public can help by reporting sightings of sick or dead deer to the DNR, as well as submitting harvested deer for testing during deer hunting season. Through increased awareness and testing, we can work to monitor CWD within Indiana’s deer population.” said Joe Caudell, Indiana DNR deer biologist.
There have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. DNR recommends that hunters have their deer tested, and that people do not eat meat from deer that test positive for CWD. See the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center's website for more information.
The deer was confirmed positive for CWD by two independent tests. CWD is caused by a misfolded prion that causes damage to the animal’s nervous system. CWD can spread from deer-to-deer contact or through contaminated environments and remains in the soil for many years. Animals in the late stages of CWD can experience drastic weight loss and show abnormal changes in behavior. If you see any sick or dead wildlife, report it at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.
Indiana’s various deer hunting seasons run from mid-September until the end of January.
Hunters can have their harvested deer tested for free by voluntarily submitting a sample via one of DNR’s head drop coolers at select Fish & Wildlife areas, State Fish Hatcheries and National Wildlife Refuges. All CWD sampling locations can be viewed through an interactive map.
Alternatively, people may submit samples directly to the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) at Purdue University for a fee. More information and submission forms are available on the ADDL website.
Find more information about CWD on DNR’s website at on.IN.gov/CWD.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed Indiana’s second positive case of chronic wasting disease (CWD).
CWD is a neurological disease that affects deer, resulting in their eventual death. The positive, wild white-tailed deer was a 2.5-year-old male harvested in Posey County, according to a news release from the DNR on Friday.
CWD has been detected in wild deer in 36 states, including all states bordering Indiana.
During the 2025-26 deer hunting season, DNR will enhance its surveillance efforts in Posey County and the surrounding counties to determine the extent of disease in this area. This will allow biologists to develop a targeted response based on the prevalence of CWD in this part of Indiana. CWD testing will be voluntary for hunters in this area.
“The public can help by reporting sightings of sick or dead deer to the DNR, as well as submitting harvested deer for testing during deer hunting season. Through increased awareness and testing, we can work to monitor CWD within Indiana’s deer population.” said Joe Caudell, Indiana DNR deer biologist.
There have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. DNR recommends that hunters have their deer tested, and that people do not eat meat from deer that test positive for CWD. See the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center's website for more information.
The deer was confirmed positive for CWD by two independent tests. CWD is caused by a misfolded prion that causes damage to the animal’s nervous system. CWD can spread from deer-to-deer contact or through contaminated environments and remains in the soil for many years. Animals in the late stages of CWD can experience drastic weight loss and show abnormal changes in behavior. If you see any sick or dead wildlife, report it at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.
Indiana’s various deer hunting seasons run from mid-September until the end of January.
Hunters can have their harvested deer tested for free by voluntarily submitting a sample via one of DNR’s head drop coolers at select Fish & Wildlife areas, State Fish Hatcheries and National Wildlife Refuges. All CWD sampling locations can be viewed through an interactive map.
Alternatively, people may submit samples directly to the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) at Purdue University for a fee. More information and submission forms are available on the ADDL website.
Find more information about CWD on DNR’s website at on.IN.gov/CWD.