Mar 05, 2026
3 min read
UTAH – Chronic wasting disease has been confirmed in deer near Schofield for the first time, marking a new outbreak area in Utah, according to the state of Utah.
Chronic wasting disease, first confirmed near Scofield, spreads to new areas of Uintah County
UTAH - Chronic wasting disease has been confirmed in meat for the first time near Scofield, marking a new outbreak site in Utah, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
The disease, commonly known as CVD, was first discovered in mule deer in Utah in 2002 near Vernal.Wildlife officials now say it has spread into the Scofield area of Carbon County and into additional areas of Uintah County, including the Little, Pine Ridge and Dry Fork areas.
Between July 1, 2025 and February 23, 2026, DWR biologists collected 2,126 samples for CWD testing statewide.Of those, 1,479 samples were taken from hunter-gatherers during the fall control station.Eighty-three animals tested positive for the disease, including 46 sent by hunters.
The number of confirmed cases is lower than the previous hunting season, when 98 positive cases were recorded.However, representatives say that the discovery of CWD in new areas is concerning.
"DWR monitors the prevalence of chronic wasting disease in big game animals throughout Utah, and conducts screening stations each fall to test harvested deer in specific deer hunting units each season," said Dr. Ginger Stott, DWR state wildlife specialist."Samples taken from deer during screening stations last fall were sent to the Utah State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan, and we recently received the latest test results."
As of February 23, 435 mule deer and 11 cows tested positive for CWD in Utah.The disease is found in northern, northeastern, central, and southeastern Utah.
"We continue to do extensive monitoring and try different hunting methods to stay on top of this disease and its prevalence in the state," Stout said.
What is chronic wasting disease?
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disease that affects large mammals such as deer, elk and elk.It is caused by an misfolded protein called a prion, which accumulates in the brain and spinal cord.Similar prion diseases include "mad cow disease" in cattle and scrapie disease in sheep.
Infected animals may develop brain lesions, lose weight, appear bloody, shed from the ears and excessive salivation.In the end, the disease is still fatal.Although deer in the early stages of CWD often appear healthy, testing is the only way to confirm infection.
Prions can be shed in urine, feces, and saliva even before symptoms appear.Transmission can occur through direct contact between animals or indirectly through soil and contaminated environments.Prions are very persistent and can remain infectious in the environment for years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of transmission of CWD to humans is considered extremely low.However, health authorities advise hunters not to consume meat from animals that have tested positive for the disease.
DWR encourages hunters to submit harvested deer for testing and asks the public to report any deer that appear sick to their nearest DWR office.
