GETTYSBURG, PA—During recent white-tailed deer reduction operations and subsequent disease sampling at Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) and Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS), two deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This marks the first confirmed case of CWD at Gettysburg NMP.
Park staff are coordinating their response with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the National Park Service (NPS) Biological Resources Division to ensure a consistent, science-based approach to monitoring and limiting the spread of the disease. CWD has been present in Pennsylvania since it was first detected in 2012 and has since spread among deer populations in the state.
In 2024, three nearby national parks in Maryland – Antietam National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park – reported their first CWD-positive test results.
Gettysburg NMP has managed deer populations since 1995 to protect native vegetation, support healthy and diverse forests, and preserve historic landscapes. Herd reduction is also a recognized management tool used to help limit the prevalence and spread of CWD in affected areas. Deer management operations will continue at the park with appropriate CWD mitigations in place to reduce the risk of continued spread of the disease.
Guidance to park visitors:
If you see sick or dead wildlife, avoid contact with the animal and notify park staff as soon as possible.Keep pets on a leash and away from any sick or dead animals where pets are allowed. (Pets are prohibited in certain locations).Always keep a safe distance from wildlife and never touch or handle dead or sick wild animals.Do not eat any part of an animal suspected or confirmed to have CWD.
While hunting is not permitted in Gettysburg NMP, additional information about CWD and what precautions hunters in the surrounding areas should know can be found on the Pennsylvania Game Commission website at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/wildlife/wildlife-health/wildlife-diseases/chronic-wasting-disease.
Venison donation:
Consistent with NPS guidelines, during deer reduction actions, deer are tested for CWD. All venison collected from animals testing positive for CWD is destroyed.
There is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans. However, consistent with CDC guidelines, it is recommended that people not eat tissues from CWD-infected animals.