News Release

White-tailed deer test positive for Chronic Wasting Disease at Catoctin Mountain Park

Date: April 9, 2026
Contact: Lindsey Donaldson
Contact: Phillip S. Greenwalt

Thurmont, Md. – During recent white-tailed deer reduction operations and subsequent disease sampling at Catoctin Mountain Park, two deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This is the first CWD-positive detection at Catoctin Mountain Park. 

In 2024, three nearby national parks - Antietam and Monocacy National Battlefields and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park - received their first CWD-positive test results, followed by Gettysburg National Military Park in 2026. 

Catoctin Mountain Park and other national parks in the area reduce deer populations to protect and restore native plants, promote healthy and diverse forests, and preserve historic landscapes. Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia national parks conducting deer reduction operations participate in CWD monitoring programs for wildlife health. Until 2024, all results for these parks had been negative.    

There is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans. However, the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention recommends that tissues from CWD-infected animals not be eaten. The venison from the deer that tested positive for CWD was destroyed.     

Guidance to park visitors    

• If you see sick or dead wildlife, avoid contact with the animal and notify park staff as soon as possible.     

• Keep pets on a leash and away from any sick or dead animals (Pets are prohibited in certain locations).

• Always keep a safe distance from wildlife and avoid touching or handling dead or sick wild animals. Some disease-causing organisms can be passed between wild animals and people.    

• Do not eat any part of an animal suspected or confirmed to have CWD. 

Venison donation    

• Whenever possible, the NPS donates all venison from its deer reduction operations to local food banks, consistent with state and NPS public health guidelines. All CWD positive meat is destroyed.    

• The NPS will continue to participate in monitoring of collected deer for CWD and will continue to destroy venison testing positive for CWD.  
   

—NPS—  
 

About Catoctin Mountain Park: Catoctin Mountain Park, one of America’s 433 national parks, protects cabins, roads, trails and other structures that were constructed during the Depression era as a Recreational Demonstration Area.  Today the park offers the public valuable outdoor recreation opportunities in a natural setting.  Learn more at www.nps.gov/cato or follow us on Facebook.