The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has confirmed 243 new cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer during the 2024-2025 deer-hunting season and subsequent post-season management efforts. The cases were identified across 35 counties, including first-time detections in Audrain, Callaway, Lewis, Marion, Miller, Morgan, and Texas counties.
The new cases were found through sampling of over 36,000 deer, with most cases stemming from hunter-harvested submissions. An additional 70 cases were identified through targeted removal of 4,768 deer in localized areas where CWD is known to be present.
Since the first wild CWD case in Missouri in 2012, a total of 815 CWD-positive deer have been confirmed in 46 counties. Despite the expansion in geographic range, the infection rate remains below 1% of tested samples—a figure MDC says reflects the success of ongoing management efforts.
For more information on CWD and how you can help, visit mdc.mo.gov/cwd.
