Sometimes called ‘Zombie Disease’, the CDC has reported that eastern Utah remains among areas across the United States with Chronic Wasting Disease in deer, elk, and moose. As of their January report, Utah is one among 24 states with reports and the counties listed in Utah are Carbon, Grand, San Juan, Sanpete, Utah, Daggett, and Uintah. “Once CWD is established in an area, the risk can remain for a long time in the environment,” shares the CDC. “The affected areas are likely to continue to expand. Nationwide, the overall occurrence of CWD in free-ranging deer and elk is relatively low. However, in several locations where the disease is established, infection rates may exceed 10 percent, and localized infection rates of more than 25 percent have been reported.” Chronic Wasting Disease was first found in the U.S. in Colorado in the 1960s in captive deer and in wild deer by 1981. Officials say it is possible for CWD to be spread to people, most likely though eating an infected animal. In areas where CWD is known to be present, like in eastern Utah, the CDC recommends hunters have animals tested before eating the meat. Deer test stations have been provided in eastern Utah during the October deer hunt.
