Another case of Chronic Wasting Disease

[dk99358]

Pa. Dept. of Ag press release:

http://www.pa.gov/Pages/NewsDetails....ure&item=15487

4/9/2014
Deer from Western Pennsylvania Farm Tests Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease

News for Immediate Release
April 8, 2014

Deer from Western Pennsylvania Farm Tests Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease

Harrisburg – A Jefferson County deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today, marking the seventh case in a captive or wild deer since 2012.

The five year old white-tailed deer died on a Reynoldsville deer farm and tested positive for the disease at the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg.
That farm and the Walnutport, Northampton County, farm where the deer was born
have been quarantined. Deer cannot be moved on or off the properties.

The investigation continues and additional herds may be quarantined.

Chronic Wasting Disease attacks the brains of infected antlered animals such as deer, elk and moose, producing small lesions that eventually result in death. Animals can get the disease through direct contact with saliva, feces and urine from an infected animal.

There is no evidence that humans or livestock can get the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms include weight loss, excessive salivation, increased drinking and urination, and abnormal behavior like stumbling, trembling and depression. Infected deer and elk may also allow unusually close approach by humans or natural predators. The disease is fatal and there is no known treatment or vaccine.

Two Adams County deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease in 2012. During the investigation the department quarantined 27 farms in 16 counties associated with the positive samples. Since then, five farms remain quarantined.
Surveillance for the disease has been ongoing in Pennsylvania since 1998.
The Department of Agriculture coordinates a mandatory surveillance program for more than 23,000 captive deer on 1,100 breeding farms, hobby farms and shooting preserves. Three captive deer have tested positive since 2012.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission collects samples from hunter-harvested deer and elk and those that appear sick or behave abnormally. Since 1998, the commission has tested more than 38,000 free-ranging deer and elk for the disease. Four wild deer have tested positive for the disease since 2013.
For more information, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and click on the “Chronic Wasting Disease Information” button.

Media contact: Samantha Elliott Krepps, 717-787-5085

Dale

[Swamp Fox]

It seems like all the cases that have been reported have been related to these deer farms. All it would take concerning the one in Walnutport, is for a sick deer to escape like happened in Adams county and it could start an epidemic. So far, as I know there have been no cases reported that are related to infected deer coming from other states. Why are these deer farms allowed to stay in operation and what is their purpose? If I have my facts wrong I would gladly accept anyone telling me so and then please set me straight. Thank you.

[Yellowfin]

One reason for deer farms is to produce the urine scent lures so many people use for hunting.

[Swamp Fox]

One reason for deer farms is to produce the urine scent lures so many people use for hunting.

Ok, I can accept that, and hopefully this disease is stopped by the quarantine and the deer do not escape the enclosures. Deer hunting is too important to this state to have this disease affect it.

[TerryK]

I guess some claim that the urine used for scent contains the prions or virus that initiates the wasting disease. So deer don't have to escape when the urine spreads the plague. Based on this information, I really think we can all live without farmed deer urine. Seems to dangerous to me.

[dk99358]

There were wild deer with CWD found in Pa. The Disease Management Area in Bedford/Blair/Cambria counties was based on these deer. Maryland had wild deer with CWD just a few miles south of the border.

Dale

[CL3]

I won't use those scents anymore. But think about this; I bet they are used all over the country... those "Buck Bombs" are made here in PA.

Also, PGC should have authority over deer farms, not AG (if we 'must' have them).

[scoutjoe]

There were wild deer with CWD found in Pa. The Disease Management Area in Bedford/Blair/Cambria counties was based on these deer. Maryland had wild deer with CWD just a few miles south of the border.

Dale

Exactly, its out in the wild already. Even with a massive checkpoint program I can't see this being stopped.

[dk99358]

Considering it was first identified in Colorado in the late 60's and lots of things have been tried, I too doubt there is any way to stop it.

PGC used to have authority over the deer farms, then the proprietors got their legislators to put them under Pa. Dept. of Ag. I heard it was because the PGC was going to require double fencing and other restrictions but don't know for sure.

Dale

[Yellowfin]

The worst incidence of chronic wasting is the state budget.