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Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of deer and elk. TSEs are neurological diseases characterized by microscopic empty spaces in the brain matter, creating a "spongy" appearance. The disease prions attack the brains of infected animals, causing decreased interactions with other animals, listlessness, lowering of the head, a blank facial expression and repetitive walking in set patterns. Infected animals become emaciated and eventually die. To date, CWD has been found only in cervids (members of the deer family) in North America. Important:
There has been no confirmed case of CWD in North Carolina. See
where CWD has been detected.
On December 4, 2002, the Wildlife Resources Commission approved permanent text changes to the N.C. Administrative Code to be sent to the State Legislature for their consideration. The goal of the legal changes is to monitor cervids in North Carolina for Chronic Wasting Disease and keep this disease from infecting North Carolina's wild white-tailed deer herd.
Information for the Hunting Public About the disease Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurological disease of deer, elk and related animals characterized by microscopic empty spaces in the brain matter, creating a "spongy" appearance. Afflicted animals exhibit unusual behavior (see below) and eventually die. The source of the disease appears to be an abnormal protein, called a prion, in the nervous system. Transmission is between animals, but the method is unknown. Animals may be infected five years or more before showing symptoms. Signs of Chronic Wasting Disease
Suspicious deer If you see a deer exhibiting numerous CWD symptoms, you can call the Wildlife Resources Commission at 1-800-662-7137. If you have harvested a deer that was showing symptoms, leave the animal at the site of the kill and call 1-800-662-7137. Do not validate the animal on your Big Game Harvest Report Card as you may be offered the option of submitting the entire deer to the WRC for disease testing . If you do submit the entire animal for testing, it will not count towards your annual bag limit. Hunting outside North Carolina The Wildlife Resources Commission recommends that N.C. citizens wishing to hunt deer, elk or related wildlife bring back only...
Eating venison There has been no documented case of humans contracting a CWD-like disease from deer. In fact, the World Health Organization states there is no scientific evidence that CWD can infect humans. For optimal safety, the WRC recommends people do NOT eat…
Should I have my deer tested? Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer and elk. Only three species in the deer family – white-tailed deer, elk, and mule deer – are currently known to be susceptible to CWD. In the United States the disease has been reported in wild deer from Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. While the disease has not been found in North Carolina or any other Southeastern or Atlantic Coast state, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has submitted 1,653 samples for testing since 1999. Very specific brain and lymph node tissues are required for testing, and the USDA has only certified 28 state and federal laboratories to test deer for the presence of CWD. Hunters should not shoot, handle, or consume any animal that is acting abnormally or otherwise appears to be sick. Contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (919-707-0050 or 1-800-662-7137) if such an animal is observed. More information concerning CWD can be found on the CWD Alliance Web site - http://www.cwd-info.org/. This Web site is updated regularly and serves as the primary information resource for professional wildlife managers and the hunting public. Links to specific topics of interest are also provided below. General disease information: Common-sense precautions for handling and processing deer:
Where CWD has been detected:
Carcass Transportation Regulations for other states:
See
the recent newsletter from
the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study group 2003 CWD Monitoring (pdf - opens to new window)
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