Deer Disease Information

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a disease that affects the nervous systems of deer, elk, reindeer, and moose. CWD is caused by misfolded proteins called prions that are shed from infected deer through bodily secretions such as saliva and urine. CWD can be transmitted to uninfected deer when they contact these secretions either directly from infected deer or indirectly through the environment, where they can remain for many years. CWD is always fatal once an animal is infected.

About 18 to 24 months after the deer is infected, it will begin to show signs of CWD, such as weight loss, drooping ears and head, tremors, staggering, excessive drooling, and changes in behavior, such as confusion or loss of fear of humans.

If you observe a deer showing symptoms of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), report it through the Indiana DNR Sick or Dead Wildlife page.

To date, there is no vaccine or treatment available. CWD prions are highly resistant to disinfectants, freezing, and heat; cooking or burning will not inactivate them. DNR recommends testing your harvested deer for CWD. If the deer tests positive, DNR suggests not eating its meat.

Where is CWD?

CWD has been detected in more than half of the United States, including all states in the Midwest.

In Indiana, CWD has been detected in LaGrange County and Posey County. These detections resulted in a CWD Positive Area and a CWD Enhanced Surveillance Zone (see map).

CWD Positive Area

A CWD Positive Area includes the location where CWD has been detected and additional areas where DNR biologists have determined CWD is likely present based on surveillance of nearby deer populations. The current Positive Areas are LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb counties. There are no changes to rules or regulations related to deer hunting in CWD Positive Areas.

Stay informed on the latest CWD-positive areas and testing updates by visiting the Indiana DNR Chronic Wasting Disease page.

CWD Enhanced Surveillance Zone

CWD Enhanced Surveillance Zones are areas where a positive detection has occurred, CWD has not previously been detected nearby, AND more information about CWD in the area is necessary to determine the best management actions. After DNR’s positive detection of CWD in Posey County in February 2025, a CWD Enhanced Surveillance Zone was created in Posey, Vanderburgh, and Gibson counties.

CWD Surveillance Zones rely on voluntary hunter participation to achieve surveillance goals; however, no rule or regulation changes are associated with these zones.

Results from a CWD Enhanced Surveillance Zone will inform future management or surveillance actions.

Surveillance for CWD

Statewide

Indiana DNR has conducted surveillance for more than 20 years and will continue to monitor CWD in the state. If you would like to have your harvested deer tested for CWD, you can:

1. Submit your deer head sample at a DNR drop-off cooler located at a Fish & Wildlife Area, State Fish Hatchery, or participating private business — all at no cost. For more information and a list of private business sampling locations, visit the Indiana DNR Chronic Wasting Disease page.

2. Hunters may submit deer samples directly to Purdue University’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (ADDL) for testing, subject to a processing fee. For submission details and pricing information, visit the Purdue ADDL website.

Enhanced Surveillance Zone (Posey, Vanderburgh, and Gibson counties)

If you hunt in the CWD Enhanced Surveillance Zone, there are multiple options for getting your deer tested:

1. Submit your deer head sample to a DNR drop-off cooler, available year-round. A full list of cooler locations can be found on the Indiana DNR Chronic Wasting Disease page.

2. Refer to the list of private businesses accepting deer samples within this zone, available year-round. View participating sampling locations on the Indiana DNR Chronic Wasting Disease page.

3. Bring your checked-in deer to a DNR-staffed check station (locations and open hours listed in the table below).