Forest
Stewardship News Release
October
28, 2005- For Immediate Release
Contact: Allyson
Muth , Phone: 814-863-0401 E-mail: abm173@psu.edu
Chronic Wasting Disease: A Credible Threat to Pennsylvania's White-Tailed Deer?
Written by: Stephanie Dalrymple, 814-863-0401, srd14@psu.edu
Despite its occurrence in states surrounding Pennsylvania, Chronic Wasting Disease shouldn't impair anyone's deer hunting this season. Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in captive and free-ranging white-tailed deer herds in New York and, most recently, in free-ranging deer herds in Hampshire County, West Virginia. Dr. Gary San Julian, wildlife extension specialist, believes, "Chronic Wasting Disease is definitely a credible threat and it is only a matter of time before we see cases in our area."
What is it?
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a transmissible neurological disease of deer and elk that produces small lesions in the brains of the infected animals. It is characterized by loss of body condition, behavioral abnormalities, and death. It is similar to Mad Cow Disease in cattle and Scrapie in sheep.
CWD is classified as a Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy. Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathys (TSEs) are also known as prion diseases, which are a group of rare degenerative brain disorders characterized by tiny holes that give the brain a "spongy&" appearance and visible only under a microscope.
Only three species of the deer family (cervids) are known to be naturally susceptible- Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, and White-tailed deer.
A brief history:
CWD was first described in captive male deer in a Colorado research facility in 1967. It was then detected in free ranging deer and elk in Colorado and Wyoming in the 1980s. In the 90s more cases of CWD were found in South Dakota, Saskatchewan, and the Northeast. It received national attention among wildlife managers when it was discovered in Wisconsin, Illinois, New Mexico, and Korea. New York found CWD in a captive herd in Oneida County in spring 2005, which was closely followed by the discovery of CWD in wild deer in the surrounding area. In September 2005, three free white-tailed deer tested positive for CWD in West Virginia. These discoveries made it clear that CWD could be spread with transfer of live animals or contaminated parts, as was the case in New York, and that wild herds in all states were vulnerable.
How are the animals becoming infected?
Contaminated pastures appear to have served as sources of infection. Movement of live animals is a great risk factor in the spread of CWD to new areas.
What animals are most susceptible?
Cases most commonly occur in adult animals. A worry of deer biologists is that in captive deer herds, CWD can reach very high infection rates. In areas of dense deer population, occurrence of CWD in wild herds could mimic this scenario.
What do the symptoms look like?
Symptoms do not appear for, at a minimum, 15 months from exposure. The most obvious consistent clinical sign is continued weight loss. Behavior changes such as: decreased interactions with other animals, listlessness, lowering of the head, blank facial expression, and repetitive walking in set patterns also occur in most cases. Excessive drinking and urination are common in terminal stages. In elk, behavioral changes may also include: hyper-excitability and nervousness, excessive salivation, drooling, and grinding of teeth. The disease is progressive and always fatal.
Are humans at risk?
There have not been any linkages to humans, and to this point prions have not been found in muscle tissue. Therefore, there is currently no evidence showing that CWD poses a risk for humans; however, caution is still warranted.
How will it affect hunting in Pennsylvania?
CWD shouldn't impair anyone's hunting in PA. However, cautionary measures should be taken in areas where CWD is known to occur. Hunters should not shoot, handle, or consume an elk or deer that is acting abnormal or appears to be sick. When field-dressing game, wear rubber gloves, and minimize the use of a bone saw to cut through the brain or backbone. Bone out the meat. Minimize contact with and do not consume brain, spinal cord tissues, eyes, spleen, or lymph nodes. Always wash hands thoroughly after dressing and processing game meat.
"Hunters should look
for deer that don't look healthy. They may look scraggly, disoriented,
have problems moving, and/or have a poor coat. However, it's important
to remember that just because a deer may possess these qualities; it does
not mean it is infected with CWD. At the same time, it is important to
notify the Game Commission by calling your local wildlife officer to remove
the deer and have it tested. Also, Hunters should take precaution, as
with anything, when harvesting meat from wild game. When working with
any wild meat, wear rubber or latex gloves. Minimize contact with brain,
tonsils, lymph nodes, spinal cord and spleen," commented Dr. San Julian.
Pennsylvania's Plan
The Game Commission's current new release states it's not going to allow Pennsylvania's hunters to transport cervid body parts in to the state from Hampshire County, West Virginia and other states that have reported cases of CWD. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Game Commission have a complete list of those areas of concern.
Pennsylvania currently has a 34-page plan drafted if CWD is found in the state. The plan can be accessed on the PA Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on "Reports/Minutes" and then selecting "Pennsylvania CWD Response Plan."
More information on CWD can be found on the CWD Alliance's website (www.cwd-info.org).
The Pennsylvania Forest Stewardship Program provides publications on a variety of topics related to woodland management for private landowners. For a list of free publications, call 1-800-235-WISE (toll-free), send e-mail to , or write to: Forest Stewardship Program, Forest Resources Extension, The Pennsylvania State University, 320 Forest Resources Building, University Park, PA 16802. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and USDA Forest Service, in partnership with the Penn State's Forest Resources Extension, sponsor the Forest Stewardship Program in Pennsylvania.
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