Chronic Wasting Disease
Dr. Peter Larsen of the U of M educated us on the facts and misconceptions about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the American deer population. What it is, how it is transmitted and what is being done to control this disease.
CWD is a prion mutation much like Mad Cow and Scrapie causing the animal to waste away, losing weight, cognitive function, and awareness. Caused by a genetic malfunction, it is easily spread through bodily fluids such as semen, saliva, and feces. It can take up to two years for a deer with CWD to perish from the disease while still spreading it. The Prions have been known to be contracted from the soil where deceased deer or feces have laid.
CWD is currently spread to 26 states and at least 4 countries. The U of M has set-up an outreach group MNPRO to help educate, treat and research a solution to this disease. More information can be found at vetmed.umn.edu.