Chronic wasting disease (CWD)

Emaciated elk with visible ribs foraging on vegetation. A barbed wire fence is in the foreground.
Photo by Melia DeVivo
An elk exhibits signs of chronic wasting disease in Wyoming. These signs are rarely seen in the wild because most animals die of other causes before reaching this stage of the disease. Most animals with CWD will look normal.

WDFW confirmed the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Washington in 2024. Important information pertaining to the disease, preventing its spread, new rules for hunters, and other CWD information is in the following sections.