HERE ARE THE FACTS!!!!!

Q:
What is Chronic Wasting Disease?


A:
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an infectious, neurologic disease of cervids, which includes North American deer and elk. A member of the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), CWD has been diagnosed in free-ranging and captive cervids. Other TSEs include bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, sometimes called "mad cow disease") and scrapie.



Q:
What causes CWD?


A:
The agent that causes CWD has not been completely described, but three possibilities have been proposed: an unconventional virus, a prion (a self-replicating protein), or a virino (an incomplete virus). The theory accepted by most scientists is that CWD is caused by a prion. Infection does not cause a detectable immune response or inflammatory reaction like those that might be found with bacterial or conventional viral infections. On the basis of what is known about other TSEs, it is assumed that the agent causing CWD is extremely resistant to sterilization.



Q:
How is CWD transmitted?


A:
Researchers believe that CWD is spread between cervids through contact with bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine, or feces. Evidence exists that the disease can be transmitted from mother to offspring. Environmental transmission is also possible. It is not likely that CWD is transmitted via contaminated feed, but methods of feeding that concentrate herds may facilitate animal-to-animal transmission.



Q:
What clinical signs are associated with CWD?


A:
Chronic wasting disease causes progressive degeneration of the central nervous system and most often affects adult animals. The most obvious and consistent clinical signs are progressive weight loss and dehydration. Other signs include changes in temperament (loss of fear of humans, nervousness, hyperexcitability), changes in behavior (teeth grinding, walking in repetitive patterns in pens), incoordination, excessive thirst and urination, drooping of the head and ears, and excessive salivation. The incubation period is usually 18 to 24 months, but can range up to 36 months, and the health of affected animals typically deteriorates over a period of 12 months. There is no treatment for CWD and infection always leads to death.



Q:
How is CWD diagnosed?


A:
Chronic wasting disease is usually diagnosed by microscopic examination of the brain stem, lymph nodes, and tonsils after an animal's death. The presence of the abnormal prion protein in brain tissue is a positive indication of infection; however, the protein is not detectable until at least 3 months after infection, so negative results do not confirm the absence of infection.
Colorado researchers have developed a test that can be used to detect CWD in live animals. This test appears to work well for mule deer, but not for elk.
Q:
How is CWD prevented?


A:
Because transmission mechanisms are still not well understood, it is difficult to recommend specific preventive strategies. Testing, surveillance, and culling are performed in an attempt to identify and contain the disease. Unfortunately, no vaccine or preventatives exist, and there is no evidence that immunity to CWD develops.
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) provides assistance to state officials in diagnosing CWD and in monitoring international and interstate movements of animals to help prevent its spread. In an effort to contain and eventually eradicate CWD, state and federal agencies are regulating and/or banning interstate movement of captive cervids, enforcing more stringent hunting policies, creating joint task forces, and developing state-specific guidelines.
Q:
How does CWD affect farmers and hunters?


A:
Members of the general public, hunters, and owners of captive cervid herds must take precautions necessary to reduce transmission. Wild animals appearing to be ill should be reported to wildlife officials. Feeding and baiting deer should be limited as this is an activity that brings deer into close contact with one another. Double fencing of captive herds will lessen contact with wild animals, and vigilant surveillance and testing of these herds is recommended. Hunters should:
[ul][*]avoid harvesting deer or elk that appear sick[*]wear rubber gloves while field dressing animals[*]remove all bone and fatty tissue from the meat of animals[*]minimize handling of the brain, spinal cord, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes, and eyes[*]avoid consuming any animal with positive test results for CWD[*]not remove anything but pure meat (muscle) from areas where CWD is known to exist. [/ul]
Q:
Can CWD be transmitted to other animal species?


A:
There is currently no evidence that CWD is transmittable to other ruminants such as sheep, cattle, or goats under natural conditions. Neither livestock housed with infected deer or elk, nor those that have ingested the brain tissue of infected animals have developed the disease. Chronic wasting disease has been experimentally transmitted to mice, ferrets, mink, goats, squirrel monkeys, and calves by artificial means such as injection directly into the brain.



Q:
Can humans contract CWD?


A:
No evidence exists that CWD is naturally transmitted to humans, either through contact with or by eating meat from infected animals. Routine precautions should be taken when handling carcasses of animals that may be infected.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "It is generally prudent to avoid consuming food derived from any animal with evidence of a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. To date, there is no evidence that CWD has been transmitted or can be transmitted to humans under natural conditions. However, there is not yet strong evidence that such transmissions could not occur."