In January 2009, a female elk from the herd tested positive for CWD. The remaining elk in the herd were removed to minimize the risk of CWD spreading to other farmed deer and elk or to wild white-tailed deer in the area. Marksmen from Wildlife Services, a division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), killed the animals in September 2009.

Brain samples
USDA, Veterinary Services and Board personnel collected brain samples from each elk. Those samples were submitted to the US Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa for testing. A total of 3 additional elk from the 558-head herd tested positive for CWD, 1 male and 2 females.

In 2003, Minnesota implemented mandatory registration and CWD surveillance programs for farmed cervidae herds (members of the deer and elk family). When farmed cervidae over 16 months of age die or are slaughtered, herd owners must submit brain samples for CWD testing.

Chronic wasting disease
CWD is a fatal brain and nervous system disease found in cervidae in certain parts of North America. The disease is caused by prions, which can damage brain and nerve tissue. Infected animals show progressive loss of body weight with accompanying behavioral changes. In later stages of the disease, infected animals become emaciated. Other signs include staggering, consuming large amounts of water, excessive urination, and drooling.

According to state health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans.