What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?

By SWA

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative illness affecting deer, elk, moose, and other members of the cervid family. It's similar to other prion diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. Here are key aspects of CWD:

  1. Caused by Prions: CWD is caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins that can induce other normally folded proteins to also misfold. These abnormal proteins accumulate in the brain, leading to brain tissue damage and the characteristic symptoms of the disease.

  2. Symptoms: The disease is characterized by weight loss (wasting), stumbling, lack of coordination, listlessness, drooling, excessive thirst or urination, drooping ears, aggression, and nervousness. However, symptoms can take years to develop after infection.

  3. Transmission: CWD is highly contagious among cervids. It spreads through direct contact with an infected animal's bodily fluids or tissue, as well as indirectly through environmental contamination. Prions can remain infectious in the environment for years.

  4. No Cure or Vaccine: Currently, there is no cure or vaccine for CWD. Once an animal is infected, the disease is always fatal.

  5. Geographic Spread: Originally identified in Colorado in the 1960s, CWD has since spread to numerous states in the US, as well as Canada and some other countries. Its spread is a significant concern for wildlife management and conservation efforts.

  6. Impact on Populations: CWD can lead to significant declines in affected deer populations. Its long incubation period allows the disease to spread silently and extensively before symptoms become apparent.

  7. Risk to Humans: While there is no direct evidence that CWD can infect humans, the possibility cannot be completely ruled out. Health authorities advise against consuming meat from infected animals.

  8. Management Strategies: Efforts to manage CWD include surveillance programs, population control measures to reduce density, and regulations to prevent the movement of potentially infected animals or carcasses.

  9. Environmental Persistence: Prions are extremely resilient and can persist in the environment, in soil or on plants, posing a risk of infection to animals for years.

CWD represents a significant challenge for wildlife management, and its potential impact on ecosystems and possibly human health remains a topic of ongoing research and concern.

Minnesota DNR to hold December deer hunt to battle chronic wasting disease
https://www.fox9.com/news/dnr-to-hold-december-deer-hunt-to-battle-chronic-wasting-disease

CWD detected in new part of Utah
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/chronic-wasting-disease/cwd-detected-new-part-utah

CWD found in S. Mississippi deer, 150 miles from nearest previous case. How did it happen?
https://eu.clarionledger.com/story/sports/outdoors/2023/12/05/first-case-of-cwd-recently-found-in-south-mississippi-deer/71797890007/







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