BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said 52 deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease in 2023. Of those, 49 came from Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, and Washington counties, with one coming from Baltimore and two from Montgomery.

Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said they monitor the disease with other states and set up management zones for deer health.

The department said that because of the new cases in Baltimore and Montgomery, the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area has been expanded to include all of Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Montgomery, and Washington counties. The department also said that it will start testing deer in Baltimore and Montgomery counties when it gets more samples for testing.

“Unfortunately, like many other states with chronic wasting disease, we are seeing the disease spread in Maryland,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “The department will continue to monitor the disease closely, provide the public with the most up-to-date information on the disease, and follow the best science available for deer management.”

The first case of chronic wasting disease in Maryland was confirmed in February of 2011. Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia are the only states in North America to have documented cases in free ranging cervids.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said that deer that are emaciated, unhealthy, or acting abnormally should be reported. Hunters can also allow the department to collect tissue samples from deer that are harvested.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

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