Ohio wildlife officials are grappling with a 50% increase in chronic wasting disease (CWD) cases among wild deer, with confirmed infections rising from 73 to 109 during the 2025-26 hunting season. The fatal neurological disease, caused by prions that persist in soil, has now been detected in six counties including Wyandot, Marion, and Hardin.

Unlike the seasonal epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreak that killed thousands of deer last summer, CWD poses a long-term threat because infected deer don't develop immunity and the disease spreads slowly but inevitably. The state has established enhanced regulations in designated zones spanning parts of Delaware, Union, and Morrow counties, requiring hunters to follow strict carcass handling protocols.

Wildlife officials warn that CWD's persistence in the environment and deer migration patterns make containment nearly impossible. While no human cases have been linked to consuming infected venison, health authorities advise against eating deer showing any symptoms. The disease's progression will likely influence future hunting regulations as officials balance wildlife management with disease control efforts.