Studies are ongoing to determine the prevalence of CWD in free-ranging elk and deer. Studies have also been initiated in Saskatchewan in both farmed and wild deer and elk. Finding of CWD positive animals in farmed populations has been the topic of much media attention. Confirmation of a case of CWD in the wild population occurred March 5, 2001. At this point, there is no clinical test for CWD in the live animal.
Immunohistochemistry is used to demonstrate accumulation of the PrPres .
The CWD affected brain looks very similar to the scrapie affected brain. The brain should be processed promptly after death to prevent autolytic changes that could obscure the CWD changes. The disease is always fatal. Management of CWD in free-ranging animals is even more problematic. All have tested negative, indicating CWD is probably not widespread among native deer and elk populations.