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According to a recent report from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 52 animals tested positive for the disease in 2023, including two in new parts of the state.
The deer were sampled in Allegany, Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery and Washington counties.
Of the positive samples, 49 came from within the existing Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area (Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, and Washington counties), while one positive sample came from Baltimore County and two positive samples came from Montgomery County, officials said.
“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 Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area has now been expanded to include Baltimore and Frederick counties.
Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal neurological disease affecting members of the deer family including white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose, elk, reindeer, and red deer," according to the department.
The disease causes degeneration of the brain and eventual death.
"In the early stages of the disease, an infected animal may not show any signs that it is sick," officials said. "As the disease progresses, animals will show signs of weight loss, generally accompanied by behavioral changes.
"In later stages, affected animals may show emaciation, excessive drooling, increased drinking and urination, listlessness, stumbling, trembling, loss of fear of humans and nervousness."
According to the Department of Natural Resources, since 2002, they have tested nearly 15,000 deer, and the disease was first detected in November 2010 in Allegany County in a deer taken by a hunter.
To date, 223 infected deer have been documented in the state.
"Concerns about chronic wasting disease should not stop anyone from hunting deer or enjoying venison," health officials said. "Research suggests the disease cannot be naturally transmitted to humans.
"However, as a general safety precaution it is recommended that hunters avoid consuming the meat of sick animals as well as the brain, lymph nodes or spinal column of any deer — all of which are normally removed during the butchering process."
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