FYI: found this on Web---Nebraska DWR I think.
Jordan
What is Chronic Wasting Disease?
Chronic Wasting Disease, commonly known as CWD, is a spongiform disease of mule deer, white-tailed deer and elk. It has been identified in wild deer and elk in Northeastern Colorado, Southeastern Wyoming and Southwestern Nebraska. Six captive game farm elk in Nebraska have been found to have contracted CWD. Only one wild mule deer has been diagnosed with CWD. The disease causes damage to portions of the brain of the infected animals.
Affected animals show progressive loss of body condition, behavioral changes, excessive salivation, increased drinking and urination, depression and eventual death. The disease cannot be identified unless the brain of the animal is tested for signs of infection. The pathogen that causes the disease has not been positively identified but it is suspected that a new disease agent, called a prion, is the causative agent.
Where is it Found?
The distribution of CWD in wild deer and elk is currently restricted to Northeastern Colorado, Southeastern Wyoming and Southwestern Nebraska. The disease has been identified in captive cervid herds in Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Montana and Canada. In the wild, the disease primarily affects deer. However, several wild elk in Colorado and Wyoming and one wild deer in Nebraska have been diagnosed with CWD. Some captive herds of both deer and elk have been found to have the disease.
How Common is it?
Chronic wasting disease is relatively rare. In Colorado and Wyoming less then 5% of the wild deer and less than 1% of the wild elk in the area where the disease has been identified have been found with CWD. Although the disease does not appear to be common, the number of confirmed cases has increased in the past few years. This can be largely explained by the dissemination of knowledge about the disease and increased surveillance for its occurrence.
How is it Transmitted?
Neither the agent causing chronic wasting disease nor its mode of transmission has been identified. Experimental and circumstantial evidence suggests infected deer and elk probably transmit the disease through animal-to-animal contact and/or contamination of food or water sources with saliva, urine, and/or feces. Chronic wasting disease seems more likely to occur in areas where deer or elk are crowded or where they congregate at man-made feed and water stations. Artificial feeding of deer and elk may compound the problem.
Is it Transmissible to Humans?
According to experts and public health officials, there is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans or to animals other than deer and elk. As a general precaution, however, it is a good idea for people to avoid contact with any wild animal that appears sick. Additionally, it is always recommended that hunters wear rubber gloves while dressing out and handling the carcass of any harvested wildlife. It is also recommended that hunters do not eat or handle the brain or spinal cord of any harvested deer or elk.
Is the Disease Transmissible to Domestic Livestock?
According to experts, there is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to domestic livestock. Chronic wasting disease is similar in some respects to two livestock diseases: scrapie which affects domestic sheep and goats worldwide and has been recognized for more than 200 years; and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad-cow disease, which is a more recent disease of cattle in the Europe. Thought there are similarities, there is no evidence suggesting either scrapie or BSE is caused by contact with wild deer or elk or that wild deer or elk are infected by contact with domestic animals.
What Should a Person do if they see a Deer or Elk that Looks Sick, Emaciated and/or Lethargic?
Contact either the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at a Wildlife Division Office (listed on back of this pamphlet) or the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at (402) 471-2351. They will send someone to investigate. If the animal appears to have chronic wasting disease field personnel will probably euthanize it in order to confirm the presence of the disease and help prevent the spread of infection.
Can the Animal be Saved?
Veterinarians advise that nothing can be done to save deer and elk affected by chronic wasting disease. However, destroying affected individuals may help prevent the spread of infection within a herd.
Feeding affected animals may keep them alive a little longer but it will not change the ultimate outcome, death. Feeding also could increase the likelihood of transmitting the disease to other deer or elk.
What Precautions Should Hunters Take When Handling the Carcass of a Deer or Elk?
In the rare event that an emaciated or otherwise unhealthy deer or elk is harvested, contact one of the Commission offices listed on the back cover or the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. If the animal appears to be a chronic wasting disease suspect, the hunter will be issued a duplicate carcass tag to allow the harvest of another deer or elk. If you suspect an animal may be infected, do not shoot the animal but note the location and notify the Commission as soon as possible. If you harvest an animal, the Commission recommends that you wear rubber gloves when handling the carcass, bone out the meat instead of cutting through bone and do not use household utensils to dress out the animal.
What is the Game and Parks Commission Doing to Manage CWD?
The Commission is cooperating with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to identify and control any occurrences of CWD in captive cervid herds. We are also working with adjacent states and the U. S. Department of Agriculture to assist in identifying the range of this disease in wild deer and elk and to develop region wide plans to address a reduction in its occurrence. Additionally, the Commission collects brain samples from harvested deer and elk at check stations and has these samples tested for CWD. Since 1997, over 750 deer and 100 elk have been tested for CWD with only one positive test.
