September 27, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) disease in cervids, including deer and moose. Other TSEs you may already know are Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, mad cow in bovines, and scrapie in sheep. TSEs are fatal diseases that effect the nervous system.
Visible symptoms of CWD include excessive drooling, thirst, and urination, teeth grinding, drooping ears, unusual behavior, sluggish behavior, and emaciation. Symptoms can be seen 1 to 36 months after the animal has contracted the disease; the animal will usually succumb to CWD within 1 to 12 months of exhibiting symptoms.
It is suspected that CWD is passed on through direct contact of an infected individual or direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected individual.
CWD has been confirmed in 15 states and 2 provinces and once it becomes established in a cervid herd, severe thinning of the population is required to attempt eradication. Therefore, the importance of keeping CWD out of Maine cannot be overstated.
Since 1999 IFW and Department of Agriculture have been collecting brain stems and lymph nodes from hunter-killed, farm-raised, or sick, euthanized deer and moose. From 2002 to 2009 over 5,600 hunter-harvested deer were tested for CWD. Thus far, all samples from Maine have been negative. However, we must remain watchful and mindful of this disastrous threat.
To keep Maine CWD free, a law was established that prohibits transporting any deer or deer parts across the state line into Maine, with a few exceptions: finished taxidermy mounts, boned-out meat, hardened antlers, teeth, capes and hides with no skull, or skull cleaned of any soft tissues. Deer harvested in New Hampshire and some Canadian provinces are exempt from this law. Transport through the state bound for another province or country is permitted provided the deer or deer parts are sealed in a leak-proof way that prevents exposure to the environment, the most direct route is taken, and there are no avoidable delays.
A few ways you can help keep CWD out of Maine and other deer-related illnesses at bay: refrain from feeding deer. Any time a large number of animals congregate in one area the risk of spreading disease is significantly greater. Also, if possible, refrain from using urine-based lures until the safety of such lures is determined, or use them cautiously in areas and ways that the deer can smell them but not reach them, such as in a tree.
There are many other illnesses or circumstances with which deer may exhibit one or two symptoms of CWD. If you see a deer or moose you suspect of having CWD, please contact your local warden or biologist. For more information, visit our website mefishwildlife.com or click the link on the side of this page. Happy hunting!
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