The disease was first detected in North Carolina in 2022. Now it has been found in Cumberland, Johnston, Wilkes, Surry, Yadkin, Stokes and Franklin counties.

“I want to point out that this detection in Franklin County, along with the last two unexpected CWD-positive cases we detected in Johnston and Cumberland counties, doesn’t necessarily mean that CWD is spreading rapidly across the state,” said Brad Howard, wildlife management division chief for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. “More likely it means that all the sample submissions we are getting from hunters is really helping to find the places where CWD has already gotten a foothold in the state. It’s likely that it’s been in these places for a few years and had not been detected. I’d rather CWD not be here at all, but if it is here, I’m glad we are finding out about it as soon as possible.

CWD is transmissible to other deer and spreads through infected saliva, urine and feces of live deer and the movement of infected deer carcasses and carcass parts. During early stages of infection, deer may appear healthy. Therefore, hunters should take precautions when transporting or disposing of deer carcasses, as this may lead to moving CWD to new locations. 

NCWRC is collecting data related to the distribution of the disease, due primarily to the cooperation of hunters who have submitted samples for testing of the disease. The new detection illustrates the fruits of these efforts, Howard said.

“My hat’s off to all the cooperating hunters, cervid health cooperators and the hard work of all our employees in the field,” he said.

Learn more at ncwildlife.org/ cwd.