Chronic Wasting Disease
is a concern

By CONNIE MERTZ

It’s called Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and it’s fast becoming a household word. Like a scene out of a science fiction movie, there is no known cure or vaccine to alleviate its presence or potential dangers. Starting in Colorado in 1967, it has been detected in Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Montana, and most recently in Wisconsin. It has even been diagnosed in captive elk in Saskatchewan.

The alarm has sounded in Pennsylvania where the PGC has put a total ban on importing live cervids August 1 in an attempt to prevent cases here. So far, there have been no known cases found in the state. All hunter-harvested elk were tested last year and all tests were negative. And this fall, plans call for a random checking of deer throughout the state as well as testing every elk harvested.

The only testing available is on dead animals. The brain stem must be removed. The cost of the testing on one single elk or deer ranges from $30 to $60. The worst case scenario is to discover CWD is transmittable to humans, but research thus far, leans toward it affecting cervids only, but it can’t be proven either way at this point. Much research is needed and monies appropriated to conquer its spread.

There are countless web sites addressing CWD. The Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance is an excellent source of updated information. The website is www.cwd-info.org.