Chronic Wasting Disease: FAQ

Chronic Wasting Disease: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?

CWD is a fatal brain and nervous system disease in deer and elk. It is different than mad cow disease in cattle and scrapie in sheep, but is in the same category of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathys or TSEs.

What are signs of CWD?

Deer and elk with CWD show weight loss, listlessness, abnormal behavior (including not fearing humans, staggering, excessive drooling, drinking large amounts of water, and frequent urination), drooping ears and rough coat.

Where has CWD been found?

Its been diagnosed in farmed elk in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada. It's been found in wild deer in South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Saskatchewan. CWD was found in one animal on a Minnesota elk farm in August 2002.

What should a person do if a deer that looks sick is seen or found? Do not kill the animal. Contact a conservation officer, area wildlife manager or the DNR.

Can livestock get CWD?

Cattle and other domesticated animals appear resistant to natural infection. There are no reported cases of natural transmission of CWD to livestock. Research continues.

Can humans get CWD from eating venison?

The World Health Organization hasn't found evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans. The U.S. Center for Disease Control hasn't found evidence that prion-related diseases occur more often in people who eat wild game than other people.

Is venison safe to eat?

Prions have never been found in muscle meat - even in infected deer. Officials are not recommending restrictions on eating venison. However, as a general precaution, do not eat deer or elk brains, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, tonsils or lymph glands.

How can hunters protect themselves?

Do not harvest, handle or eat animals that appear to be sick or very thin. Wear heavy rubber or latex gloves when dressing carcasses. Use knives and equipment dedicated to field dressing. Remove loins as boneless cuts; do not split the backbone. Do not saw or cut through the spine or skull--remove head last. Wash hands and equipment thoroughly.

For more information contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. DNR

Title:	Chronic Wasting Disease: Frequently Asked Questions	Number:	943
Script writer:	Bill Schafer	Sources:	Agricultural Utilization Research Institute; MN Deer Hunters Association; MN Board of Animal Health; MN Elk Breeders Association; MN Dept. of Agriculture, MN Farm Bureau Federation; MN Dept. of Health; U of MN Center for Animal Health and Food Safety; MN Dept. of Natural Resources; U of M Extension Service, CWD
Date:	2002	Reviewer:	Chuck Schwartau

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