What is chronic wasting disease?
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a deadly neurological disorder that affects North American cervids, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. This disease is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), a condition caused by malformed proteins known as prions. There is currently no cure or a vaccine for CWD, and the disease is always fatal in infected deer.
Where has chronic wasting disease been detected?
The disease was confirmed in Washington in July of 2024, and now has been documented in wild or captive cervids in a total of 35 states, including Montana and Idaho, and four Canadian provinces since its discovery in 1967.
How is chronic wasting disease detected and what testing does WADDL offer?
WADDL serves as the primary CWD testing laboratory for Washington, California and some tribal organizations, playing a pivotal role in the wildlife health monitoring efforts in the Pacific Northwest.
CWD can only be confirmed through testing of lymph nodes or brain tissue. WADDL employs two advanced diagnostic methods to test for CWD: the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for initial screening and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for confirmatory testing.
What are the symptoms of chronic wasting disease?
Symptoms of chronic wasting disease can take some time to emerge, and animals can appear healthy for months or years after initial infection. The disease has an extended incubation period of 18 to 24 months between infection and the onset of noticeable signs.
In the final stages of disease, the animal will become debilitated and ultimately die.
Infected animals may also display behavioral changes such as reduced social interaction, diminished awareness, and a lack of fear of humans. Additionally, they might show increased drinking and urination, along with excessive salivation.
How does chronic wasting disease spread?
Chronic wasting disease is highly contagious, spreading easily within and among cervid populations. CWD is transmitted both directly through contact between animals and indirectly through exposure to contaminated objects or environments, such as those tainted with saliva, urine, feces, or carcasses of infected animal
Can humans get chronic wasting disease?
There has never been a recorded case of cervid-human transmission, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against eating meat from infected animals. To date there are also no confirmed cases of CWD transmission from wildlife to domestic animals or from cervids to other wild ungulate species.
What precautions should hunters take?
When hunting in areas where chronic wasting disease is present, the CDC recommends several precautions to minimize your risk of exposure. Avoid shooting, handling, or consuming animals that appear sick or behave unusually, and never touch or eat meat from animals found dead, such as roadkill. When field-dressing a deer or handling its meat, wear latex or rubber gloves, avoid contact with internal organs — especially the brain and spine — and use tools that are separate from those in your kitchen.
Before you hunt, check your state’s wildlife and health department recommendations, as some states may advise or require CWD testing in specific hunting areas. It’s also strongly recommended to have your deer or elk tested for CWD before consuming the meat. If you opt for commercial processing, consider requesting that your animal be processed individually to ensure you’re only receiving meat from your harvest. If your animal tests positive for CWD, do not eat the meat.