The discovery activates the DNR's chronic wasting disease response plan for the area. Human Risk and What Health Agencies Actually AdviseNo human case of chronic wasting disease has ever been documented, and there is no evidence the disease is transmissible to people. Chronic wasting disease belongs to the same family as bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle, a disease that did cross to humans. A female deer found near Stillwater tested positive for chronic wasting disease, the first confirmed case in Washington County. Can humans catch chronic wasting disease?