Posey County Confirms First Chronic Wasting Disease Case in Deer

By Andi Anderson

Indiana’s Posey County has confirmed its first case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a white-tailed deer, marking the state's second detection of this fatal disease.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that a 2.5-year-old buck tested positive after being harvested by a hunter.

Posey County is in southwestern Indiana, bordering Illinois and Kentucky, both of which have reported CWD cases. The state’s first CWD case was detected in LaGrange County in April 2024, on the opposite side of the state near CWD-positive Michigan.

In response to the detection, the DNR plans to increase surveillance during the 2025-2026 deer hunting season in Posey County and surrounding areas. This will help determine how widespread the disease is and guide future management strategies. CWD testing will be voluntary for hunters in the affected region.

CWD is a prion disease affecting deer, moose, and elk. It spreads through direct contact and environmental contamination and is always fatal. Although not known to infect humans, experts caution against consuming meat from infected animals.

The CDC advises hunters not to eat CWD-positive deer, as cooking cannot destroy the prions responsible for the disease.

With CWD now detected in multiple Indiana counties, wildlife officials urge hunters and residents to remain vigilant.

The state will continue monitoring the situation and working to manage the disease’s impact on Indiana’s deer population.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-alexeyrumyantsev