USDA awards $11 million in funds for chronic wasting disease

This year, the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has awarded more than $11 million to support prevention, control, and research for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild and farmed cervids such as deer and elk.¹ Funding was allocated to states, research institutions, universities, and Tribal governments.

CWD is a contagious, fatal, and progressive neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose, reindeer, and muntjac, and may also infect other cervids. The disease is caused by misfolded proteins, called prions, that kill brain cells. CWD has a “silent” incubation period, during which affected animals may not exhibit symptoms for months or years, but are still infectious. The final stages of infection are deadly.²

As of April 11, 2025, CWD has been detected in free ranging cervids in 36 US states and in captive cervid facilities in 22 states. In Canada, the disease in free ranging cervids has been found in 4 provinces, with 3 provinces reporting infection in captive cervids.³

Symptoms may include^2,4:

• Weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Poor coordination, including stumbling
• Tremors
• Abnormal head posture
• Excessive thirst
• Changes in behavior
• Drooping ears
• Drooling
• Difficulty swallowing
• Aspiration pneumonia

“Because CWD is widespread and there are a limited number of effective tools, controlling and managing the disease is especially challenging,” wrote APHIS in a news release.¹

Related: CWD continues to spread across North America

In 2025, the organization awarded a total of $5,290,775 for farmed cervid initiatives. Projects consisted of predictive genetics testing, herd plans, Herd Certification Program management, indemnity, live animal testing, and depopulation of infected and exposed animals.

For projects pertaining to wild cervids, the federal agency awarded $5,905,577. These initiatives included surveillance and management, research and development of ante-mortem diagnostics and management practices, and depopulation of infected herds and animal removal.

In a news release, APHIS said funding allocations for farmed cervid initiatives were mainly based on the state’s CWD status, number of herds participating in the CWD Herd Certification Program, and number of positive herds participating in genetic-based herd plans.

“These awards will enable State departments of agriculture, State animal health agencies, State wildlife or natural resources departments, Tribal governments and organizations, and research institutions and universities to expand CWD research, management, and response activities,” APHIS said.¹

References

1. APHIS awards over $11 million in 2025 to combat chronic wasting disease. US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. September 30, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025.
2. Chronic wasting disease. US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. July 30, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cervid/chronic-wasting
3. Distribution of chronic wasting disease in North America. National Wildlife Health Center. April 11, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/distribution-chronic-wasting-disease-north-america-0
4. General CWD FAQs. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/faqs.phtml#:~:text=What%20is%20Chronic%20Wasting%20Disease,posture%20and/or%20drooping%20ears.