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Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was identified in imported elk in South Korea in 2001 and has spread among cervids nationwide. The country’s surveillance and control policy culls cervids from any CWD-positive farms, and prevalence during 2020–2024 was <0.5%.
Maintaining low prevalence in cervids will limit livestock, wildlife, and human CWD exposure. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a highly contagious prion disease in free-ranging and farmed cervids, affecting species such as sika deer ( Cervus nippon ), red deer ( C.
elaphus ), and elk ( C. canadensis ).
Since it was first recognized in Colorado, USA, in the 1960s ( 1 ), CWD has spread widely across North America, where cases have been identified in 36 US states and 5 provinces of Canada ( 2 , 3 ). CWD has also been detected in parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula ( 4 , 5 ).
CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal published a clinical update in Infectious Disease on 09 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Chronic Wasting Disease in Farmed Cervids, South Korea, 2001–2024.
Review the original article for the full source wording and details.