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History and Background CWD overview, symptoms, transmission and history in the United States The biology of CWD is not yet fully understood. It is a disease of white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk that attacks the central nervous system. It is a member of the TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy) group, which is the same disease family as BSE or "mad cow disease" in cattle and scrapie in sheep. There is no evidence to date that CWD affects humans or other animals. CWD is caused by prions (pronounced ‘PREE ON’ – mutant versions of normal proteins), which are not sensitive to normal sterilization, disinfectants, or cooking. The multiplying prions eventually destroy nerve cells and account for symptoms. At this point there is no live-animal test, no treatment and no vaccine for CWD. The disease is found by a screening process looking for vacuoles (sponge-like bubbles) in brain tissue and special stains for the prions in brain and lymph tissues. Symptoms of CWD do not develop until deer and elk are least 16 months of age and the disease is always fatal. Clinical signs include chronic weight loss, behavioral changes (loss of fear of humans, listlessness, lowering of head, repetitive walking, blank facial expression, hyperexcitability), excessive salivation and grinding of teeth. Symptoms can sometimes be confused with other diseases such as brain worm, parasites, rabies or simply malnutrition/starvation. The transmission route in unknown but is suspected to occur from cervid to cervid through saliva, feces, and possibly urine. It has a long incubation period of 18 months or longer. Again, there is no evidence of transmission to humans or other species of animals. Again, CWD has not been found in Michigan to date. Michigan is home to about 1.8 million free ranging deer and elk as well as 900 to 1000 privately owned deer and elk facilities. Michigan Surveillance and Response Plan It was first observed in 1967 and diagnosed in 1977 at a Colorado cervid research facility and, in 1 1981, in free ranging cervids in northeastern Colorado. Since then, CWD has been found in both privately owned and wild, free-ranging cervids in other states and other countries. Specifically, it has been discovered in wild deer herds in Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, Wisconsin, and most recently, New Mexico. In addition to Colorado, CWD has been diagnosed in privately owned deer and elk herds in Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, and South Korea. Michigan’s efforts to-date to prevent CWD Free ranging cervids In past years, MDNR scientists and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory have tested approximately 450 deer for CWD, all of which have been negative. In addition, MDNR has tested deer having symptoms similar to those of CWD on an ongoing basis. All of these animals have tested negative as well. In 2002, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, which serves as MDNR’s policymaking body, moved in the first of a series of steps to prevent CWD from entering Michigan. The Commission ordered an end to supplemental deer feeding in the Upper Peninsula, starting with the four U.P. counties bordering Wisconsin and including the remaining 11 counties by May, 2003. Supplemental feeding is presently banned in the Lower Peninsula. The move is aimed at lowering deer numbers that are kept artificially high through unnatural feeding and reducing the nose-to-nose contact inherent with congregated feeding. Further, the NRC implemented a 50-mile buffer zone around the state. If CWD is discovered within 50 miles of any state border, all baiting and feeding activities in the adjacent peninsula will be immediately banned. Privately owned cervids MDA enacted a one-year ban or moratorium effective April 26, 2002, on any imports of deer and elk destined for privately owned cervid farm operations. Before the temporary ban, MDA had prohibited the importation of any deer or elk from a county or adjoining county in any state where CWD has been diagnosed. Cervids brought into Michigan were also required to obtain a pre-entry permit, accompanied by a health certificate and statement from an accredited veterinarian attesting that the animals had not been exposed to CWD or any other communicable disease. In addition, after the CWD discovery in Wisconsin, the Department enacted a ban on all cervid imports from Wisconsin effective March 6, 2002. The state’s act governing privately owned cervid operations also provides important tools, including mandatory herd inventory reporting, mandatory fence inspection, standards for fence construction and mandatory record keeping of all animal movement, that help MDA and the state prevent, monitor for and potentially respond to CWD. "MDNR and MDA are committed to doing whatever is necessary to ensure the future health of Michigan’s deer and elk. Our long-term success with protecting free ranging cervids will be underpinned by the close partnership we have with the hunting community." K.L. Cool, DNR Director White-tailed deer closely gathered at an unnatural feeding site. Michigan is working to end this practice. Conclusion Michigan’s success in preventing and responding to the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease is underpinned by rigorous surveillance, strong public education efforts, and responsive scientific laboratory support. Also key to dealing with this disease are strong partnerships between state, federal, local and university entities, as well as Michigan’s sportsmen and deer and elk farmers. Continued nationwide research efforts to better understand CWD could someday offer cures and vaccines for this disease. Until then, the State of Michigan remains committed to a two-prong approach focused primarily on strong prevention and surveillance activities, and timely response in the event that CWD is ever detected here. For more information or questions, contact: Wildlife inquiries: Rose Lake Wildlife Disease Laboratory MDNR Wildlife Division 517/373-9358 Producer or veterinarian inquiries: Dr. Joan Arnoldi, State Veterinarian and MDA Animal Industry Division Director 517/373-1077 or arnoldij@michigan.gov Dr. Doug Hoort, MDA Cervidae, Aquaculture, Exotic Species Program Manager 517/373-1077 or hoortd@michigan.gov Media inquiries: Brad Wurfel, MDNR Press Secretary 517/335-3014 or wurfelbj@michigan.gov Sara Linsmeier-Wurfel, MDA Public Information Officer 517/241-4282 or linsmeiers@michigan.gov On the web: Visit www.michigan.gov/mda; www.michigan.gov/mdnr; or http://aphisweb.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahps//cwd/cwd-program.html To report a potential animal disease: State Veterinarian’s Office Phone: 517/373-1077 Fax: 517/373-6015 After hours/weekends: 517/373-0440 U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services Veterinary Services Phone: 517/324-5290 Fax: 517/324-5289
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