The Facts for Hunters About CWD Disease Found in Deer and Elk

CWD known as Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in white tail deer, mule deer, and Rocky Mountain elk. CWD is also known be found in some scrapie of goats and sheep.

What is CWD? CWD is a neurological disease also known as TSEs, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. This disease attacks the central nervous system, which causes small holes to form in the brain of infected animals.

What are the symptoms of CWD? Deer and elk in the early stages of this disease may not show any early signs. From the time an animal is infected and the onset of symptoms occur, this may take up to 15 months for the symptoms to start. Later stages of the disease the animal will show symptoms. Symptoms the animal will show signs of are drowsiness, stagger, urinate excessively, lack of bodily functions, drool, salivate, become emaciated, and their heads and ears will be lowered. This disease also makes infected animal drink excessive amounts of water.

Where has CWD been found? CWD has been found in Southwest Wisconsin, Northeastern Colorado, West-Central Saskatchewan, Southwest South Dakota, Western Nebraska, South-Central New Mexico, and Southeastern Wyoming.

What should you do if you observe an animal showing symptoms of CWD? You should never consume the animal, handle, shoot, or disturb the animal. Remember the exact location of the animal and call you're Wildlife Resources or you may call animal control.

Can you be infected with CWD? No evidence shows that a human can be infected with CWD when coming in contact with an infected animal. There is also no evidence that shows a human can become infected after consuming meat from an infected animal. However, it is always best to take precautions. One way is to wear latex gloves when handling these animals.

How is CWD transmitted among animals? It is believed that infection passes from animal to animal from feces, saliva, or urine. The exact method of this transmission from animal to animal is unknown. The exact cause of CWD is not known.

How are these animals tested for CWD? First off the animal must be deceased because there is no accepted test for live animals. There is only one reliable test for CWD. This test consists of a microscopic examination of a specific region of the brain. During the test they look for accumulation of the disease agent.

Always remember when out hunting to pay attention to these potential symptoms. Although the state in which you reside in wasn't mention in the list of states that found animals infected with CWD. This doesn't exclude your state from having animals infected with CWD. There may be infected animals in your state that just have not been found. So you may want to just take precautions, watching for symptoms in animals and wearing latex gloves when field dressing deer.