CWD Update

CWD is a fatal and contagious disease that affects the nervous systems of deer, elk, moose and reindeer. CWD is caused by a misfolded, infectious protein accumulating within the nervous system of deer, which ultimately causes death. 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, to date, there have been no reported cases of CWD infecting people. However, hunters are encouraged to have their animals tested for CWD and not consume any animal that tests positive for CWD.

CWD has a very long incubation period (time between infection and observable disease) that typically takes at least 10 months for a deer or elk to show signs of illness. Experts believe CWD proteins (prions) likely spread between animals through feces or body fluids like saliva, blood or urine, either through direct contact or indirectly through environmental contamination of soil, food or water. These CWD proteins can remain contagious in the environment for 10-plus years.

Symptoms of CWD include excessive salivation, drooping head/ears, tremors, extremely low body weight and unusual behavior, such as showing no fear of humans and lack of coordination. CWD cannot be diagnosed strictly by symptoms because other diseases, or conditions, can also cause an animal to exhibit similar symptoms and behavior.