First Chronic Wasting Disease Case Found In Deer At Manassas National Battlefield

MANASSAS, VA — A fatal disease for deer has been detected for the first time at Manassas National Battlefield Park, according to the National Park Service.

NPS said a deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease, which is a fatal disease among deer, elk, moose and reindeer. The deer came from the Prince William County section of the national park. Three other nearby national parks — Antietam National Battlefield and Monocacy National Battlefield in Maryland, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia — had their first chronic wasting disease cases in 2024.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there is no treatment or vaccine for chronic wasting disease. It is believed to spread through an infected animal's saliva, blood, urine or feces. According to NPS, chronic wasting disease was first detected in western states in the 1960s and 1970s, but the spread has advanced eastward.

According to the CDC, evidence does not show that chronic wasting disease can infect people. However, health officials recommend not eating parts of animals infected with chronic wasting disease.

At Manassas National Battlefield Park, the venison of the infected deer has been destroyed, NPS said. NPS typically provides venison meat from its deer reduction campaigns to local food banks when possible, but wildlife meat testing positive for chronic wasting disease is destroyed.

The positive test for chronic waste disease came as Manassas National Battlefield Park was working on its white-tailed deer reduction initiative to protect and restore native plants and preserve historic landscapes. National parks in the D.C., Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia areas that work on deer population reductions also have chronic waste disease monitoring programs. Results for all of the region's parks were negative until 2024.

NPS recommends visitors who see sick or dead wildlife notify an NPS employee. Visitors are urged to keep a safe distance from wildlife and avoid handling sick or dead animals. NPS employees with training in wildlife health will use protective measures to handle dead wildlife.