1. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
By: Fred Lishman

2. What is Chronic Wasting Disease?
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurological disease found in species of deer, elk and moose.
CWD is part of a family of diseases called spongiform encephalopathies or piron disease. (incomplete protein)
CWD is related to:
mad cow disease
scrapie in sheep
creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans
Currently, there is no known relationship that links these diseases.

3. CWD History
CWD was first discovered in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado.
CWD was identified as a spongiform encephalopathy in 1978.
CWD was then discovered in wild mule deer in 1981.

4. How is CWD Spread?
CWD can be spread by close contact with infected animals.
soil or other surfaces
saliva
feces
decomposing infected carcasses
Currently CWD is not known to spread to humans.

5. Symptoms of CWD
Usually, it could take months to years before the animal shows signs of the disease.
Typical symptoms of CWD are:
poor body condition
change in behavior
stumbling
excessive drooling
widespread stance
difficulty swallowing
excessive urination, and thirst

6. How to Diagnose CWD
The brain of the animal is tested to find PrPCWD in various tissues.
Areas of focus in the brain are:
parasympathetic vagal nucleus (located in dorsal portion of medulla oblongata)
obex

7. Some States where CWD is Found
Colorado
Illinois
Kansas
Maryland
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
New Mexico
New York
North & South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Virginia & west Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
*Pennsylvania (captive deer in Adams county October 2012)

8. CWD Infected Areas

9. CWD and Control There is No treatment or cure for CWD.
Try to prevent the spread of CWD in uninfected populations.
Quarantine and euthanize animals with the disease.
In free-ranging animals, it is harder to control.

10. Precautious areas

11. What Precautions should Hunters take?
The PGC issued an Executive Order prohibiting the importation of certain parts from cervids.
Some of these parts include:
head
spinal cord/ backbone
spleen
any object that may have brain matter
Some things hunters can do to remain safe are:
don’t shoot, handle or consume animals that appear sick
wear gloves when field dressing
bone out the meat
minimize handling spinal cord/ brain
have your animal tested

12. What can you do?
Report any signs of sick animals to your local Game Commission.
Do not approach or touch the animal.
Do not feed animals.