36 | Big Game Info: 402-471-0641
and Parks Commission has tested more than 58,000 deer and 400 elk, with more than 1,500 deer
and 30 elk testing positive. During the 2025 firearm season, Game and Parks focused sampling
efforts in four deer management units in the southwestern part of the state (See CWD Testing
Results table above).
How does CWD spread? — It is believed most CWD transmission
occurs directly from animal to animal through contact with fluids from
an infected animal or indirectly from environment to animal through
contact with contaminated soil, food, water, or other environmental
materials. Vertical transmission from doe to unborn offspring may also
occur and is currently under scientific investigation.
How can we reduce the spread and reduce human contact with
chronic wasting disease prions? — Follow these steps:
• Educate yourself and others about it.
• Avoid artificially congregating deer through use of supplemental feeding or other methods
that concentrate deer in an area. Environments contaminated with CWD maintain infectious
material for a long time.
• If your harvest is taken out of the field for dressing, dispose of remaining tissue and bones
at a landfill in a heavy plastic bag. DO NOT transport carcasses or biological materials back
to the field.
For more information — Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search "CWD" or visit cwd-info.org.
MENINGEAL BRAIN WORM
Meningeal brain worm is caused by a parasitic nematode (roundworm) infection of
Parelaphostrongylus tenuis. White-tailed deer are the main host for MBW but may not show
signs of illness even if they are shedding the
parasite. Transmission occurs through ingestion
of a gastropod (snail) during grazing. MBW can
infect and cause disease in livestock, deer, elk,
pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. Signs of MBW
infection include single or rear limb weakness,
stumbling, circling, head tilt and other
neurologic signs.
HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE
Hemorrhagic disease is a generalized term for two related viruses in the genus orbivirus:
epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus and bluetongue virus. HD is transmitted to deer by biting
midges of the genus Culicoides. Pronghorn, white-tailed deer and mule deer are all susceptible
to HD, but white-tailed deer seem to be more vulnerable. Signs of HD include a swollen head,
neck, tongue or eyelids.
HOW CAN I GET MY DEER TESTED?
Hunters who wish to have a deer tested can contact an accredited lab in Nebraska or
surrounding states. Hunters can visit aphis.usda.gov/labs/nahln/approved-labs for lab and
testing details.
2025 CWD
TESTING RESULTS
Unit % Positive
Platte 29%
Frenchman 28%
Buffalo 17%
Republican 26%
OBSERVATION OF SICK ANIMALS
Please contact the nearest Nebraska Game
and Parks Commission office if you witness
morbid/sick wildlife in your area or send
an email to the Wildlife Health Program at
marnee.roundtree@nebraska.gov.
