NEWS RELEASE
June 8, 2026
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) announced that Arizona continues to be free of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal wildlife disease that affects the nervous system of deer and elk.
CWD has now been detected in 37 states and 5 Canadian provinces, with Delaware being the most recent state to become positive in April 2026.
Department officials did not detect CWD in any of the 1,468 mule deer, white-tailed deer, or elk tested during the 2025 hunt seasons.
Here’s the breakdown of where samples came from:
- 689 samples came from hunters who harvested and voluntarily submitted animals.
- 699 samples came from partnerships with game processors and taxidermists.
- 80 samples were obtained from animals involved in vehicle collisions or other fatalities. These samples are considered high-priority for testing because CWD often first appears in animals that are clinically sick or have impaired neurological function, increasing the risk of vehicle collisions and other incidents.
The department has prioritized sample collection based on the occurrence of the disease in neighboring states. A total of 756 samples were collected from high-priority areas.
AZGFD also tested 14 samples from animals that were harvested outside of Arizona. As a reminder, hunters should only bring packaged meat, quarters, cleaned skulls, or finished taxidermy mounts into the state. It’s also important to disinfect your equipment after hunts in CWD-positive areas out of state.
AZGFD has been testing for the presence of the disease in Arizona since 1998. While CWD has been found in the neighboring states of Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and California, the disease has not been detected in Arizona. CWD has not been documented to cause disease in people.
AZGFD appreciates the assistance of hunters who submit deer and elk for testing, as well as the cooperation of game processors and taxidermists. Visit this page for more information about CWD, including annual reports.