CWD Chronic Wasting Disease By Kevin Moran

Name CWD or chronic wasting disease which is a transmissible disease caused by a spongiform encephalopathy of the cervid family. CWD or chronic wasting disease which is a transmissible disease caused by a spongiform encephalopathy of the cervid family.

First Discovery First discovered in 1967 in a herd of mule deer in Colorado. First discovered in 1967 in a herd of mule deer in Colorado. Was discovered when these mule deer died off within hours of each other. 48 to be exact. Was discovered when these mule deer died off within hours of each other. 48 to be exact.

What Causes it? CWD is caused by prions which are infectious proteins without associated nucleic acids. CWD is caused by prions which are infectious proteins without associated nucleic acids. Most deer pick the disease up from wetland areas and then have the capability of transmitting it to other deer from their saliva. Most deer pick the disease up from wetland areas and then have the capability of transmitting it to other deer from their saliva.

Effects Poor body condition Poor body condition Extreme salivation Extreme salivation Lesions on the brain Lesions on the brain Wide based stances Wide based stances

Pictures of infected cervids

Control Factors There is no known cure and really no way to completely prevent it all together. There is no known cure and really no way to completely prevent it all together. The best practice is to kill and get rid of any infected animals as quick as possible once detected. The best practice is to kill and get rid of any infected animals as quick as possible once detected.

How dangerous is it It has been determined that deer can pass this disease on to other deer at extraordinary rates, making it very deadly. If one deer gets infected in a herd, the others are vulnerable to exposure. It has been determined that deer can pass this disease on to other deer at extraordinary rates, making it very deadly. If one deer gets infected in a herd, the others are vulnerable to exposure. This means that total herds can get wiped out just like the one in Colorado. This means that total herds can get wiped out just like the one in Colorado.

Preventions The disease cannot be carried over to humans as of right now, but there is a warning out to hunters to always wear safety gloves when field dressing a deer because of the risk factor. The disease cannot be carried over to humans as of right now, but there is a warning out to hunters to always wear safety gloves when field dressing a deer because of the risk factor. For captivity deer, when petting them always wash your hands after words to prevent spreading the disease For captivity deer, when petting them always wash your hands after words to prevent spreading the disease