Chronic Wasting Disease

Most cases of CWD occur in adult animals. The disease is progressive and always fatal. The most obvious and consistent clinical sign of CWD is weight loss over time. Behavioral changes also occur in the majority of cases, including decreased interactions with other animals, listlessness, lowering of the head, lethargy, repetitive walking in set patterns, and a smell like meat starting to rot. In elk, behavioral changes may also include hyper excitability and nervousness. Affected animals continue to eat grain, but may show decreased interest in hay. Excessive salivation and grinding of the teeth also are observed. Most deer show increased drinking and urination.

The current ongoing research studies in Chronic Wasting Disease include Oral transmission and early lymphoid tropism of chronic wasting disease PrPres in mule deer fawns (Odocoileus hemionus), Transmission of prions from mule deer and elk with chronic wasting disease to transgenic mice expressing cervid PrP, Prions in skeletal muscles of deer with chronic wasting disease etc…

Disease Statistics

Chronic wasting disease in free-ranging cervids occurs in contiguous areas of Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska; this is considered the core endemic area for CWD. Distribution of CWD in free-ranging deer, elk, and moose has been determined primarily through necropsy and examination of tissues from animals showing clinical signs suggestive of CWD (clinically targeted surveillance); this is an efficient approach for detecting new foci of infection. Since 2000, CWD has been detected in free-ranging cervids in several additional states.