Uncommon disease found in California deer population for the first time

(FOX40.COM) — For the first time in California history, chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in the state’s deer population, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

CWD is a fatal neurologic disease known in cervid animals like deer and elk. It can induce weight loss, clumsy movements, lack of coordination, listlessness, drooling, excessive thirst and behavioral changes.

The disease was detected when two deer were tested on May 6 after being collected in Madera and Inyo counties.

CDFW said the Madera deer was found near Yosemite Lakes and died of unknown causes and the Inyo deer was found near Bishop and was killed during a vehicle collision.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are 436 counties across 32 states that have reported CWD in free-ranging cervids.

The CDC describes chronic wasting disease as being relatively low overall and that in areas where the disease is established infection rates may exceed 10% and localized rates have been around 25%.

Although there is no known link between CWD and human disease, the World Health Organization says the disease shares similarities with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease in cattle and advises not to consume cervids found with the disease.

Given that these deer were found some 77 miles apart and on opposite sides of the Sierra Nevada the CDFW believes it’s likely the disease has been in California for “some time.”

“CWD-infected animals can excrete infectious prions before clinical signs appear and these prions can persist in the environment for years, making it very difficult to prevent or control the spread once it has been introduced,” says, Dr. Brandon Munk, CDFW’s wildlife veterinarian who oversees CWD surveillance and response efforts.

Since 2000, the CDFW has tested over 6,500 deer and elk for infectious diseases and since 2018 has increased partnerships with meat processors and taxidermists to enhance monitoring efforts.

“The public can help limit the spread of CWD by reporting any signs of illness in deer and elk populations, and hunters should strongly consider testing their harvested deer or elk,” Munk continued.

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