Sports

Column: Chronic wasting disease hits Michigan

Thursday, November 13, 2008 10:50 AM EST

For the last few years wildlife managers across the country have been dreadfully fearful of a disease called Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) that infects members of the deer family. So far it has been found in the various species of deer, elk and moose.

It is highly contagious, one hundred percent fatal and there is no known treatment. It is not thought to be a human health risk but we don't know for sure. For many years CWD in wild animals was confined to areas of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska. However, it has been popping up in captive deer facilities across the country and is now inevitably leaking out into wild deer in a number of states from coast to coast. Despite it being present in the nearby area of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, Michigan long dodged the CWD bullet. However, roughly two months ago a deer in a captive breeding facility in Kent County near Grand Rapids tested positive for CWD. Now we have the million dollar question, did it get into the wild deer population?

Wildlife managers have been so concerned about this deadly disease that way back in 2002 the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Michigan Department of Natural Resources developed an action plan should CWD appear in the state. That plan was immediately acted upon and with some luck we may be able to avoid an epidemic. All private rearing facilities statewide were immediately quarantined, banning any movement of animals. The DNR began harvesting wild deer in the immediate vicinity for testing. It's not known exactly how the disease is transmitted but it appears direct contact between animals is a primary factor. Studies also show the disease appears in saliva and can remain active in the soil for several years. Hunter's bait piles of apples, carrots and such bring deer into direct contact as well as promoting the deposit of saliva on the bait and in the ground. To the dismay of deer hunters addicted to hunting over bait, baiting has been banned in the entire Lower Peninsula. It's always been illegal for unlicensed individuals to possess live wild deer but that has been expanded to include rehab facilities and others previously permitted.

If you hunt in Kent County there are some emergency regulations that may affect you. A surveillance zone was established around the site of the CWD discovery. This consists of the Townships of Tyrone, Sozon, Nelson, Sparta, Algoma, Courtland, Alpine, Plainfield, and Cannon, all in Kent County. Within this zone all deer harvested must be taken to a deer check station and tested. In addition, only boned out meat, the cape and clean skull plate with antlers can be removed from the zone.

CWD is unusual in that it is not a bacteria or virus, but rather infectious proteins that occur mostly in the spinal cord, brain and other areas of the head such as the eyes, various glands, etc. It is somewhat similar to Mad Cow Disease. Cattle are susceptible but it appears to take extreme circumstances not likely to occur naturally. Considering our lack of knowledge about human risk, it is strongly advised to not handle or eat the meat of an infected animal. You should also take common sense precautions when handling any deer or elk. Wear rubber gloves when dressing an animal. Bone out the meat, don't handle brain or spine tissue and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. If you take it to a processor ensure that your animal is processed individually with no other deer meat or parts mixed in.

In the early stages of CWD, which can last several years, an animal may show no symptoms. In the advanced stages it may lose bodily functions, stagger, stand with a strange posture, wobble its head and drool. If you see a deer that appears sick note the precise location and immediately call the DNR RAP hotline, 1-800-292-7800. Don't try to kill it, contact it in any fashion or disturb it. Hopefully this is just a single incident caught in time but let's all remain cautious. Carpe diem.

Larry Lyons writes a weekly outdoor column for Leader Publications. He can be reached at larrylyons@verizon.net

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