Download CWD Chronic Wasting Disease

CWD
Chronic Wasting Disease
By
Kevin Moran
Name
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CWD or chronic wasting disease which is a
transmissible disease caused by a spongiform
encephalopathy of the cervid family.
First Discovery
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First discovered in 1967 in a herd of mule deer
in Colorado.
Was discovered when these mule deer died off
within hours of each other. 48 to be exact.
What Causes it?
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CWD is caused by prions which are infectious
proteins without associated nucleic acids.
Most deer pick the disease up from wetland
areas and then have the capability of
transmitting it to other deer from their saliva.
Effects
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Poor body condition
Extreme salivation
Lesions on the brain
Wide based stances
Pictures of infected cervids
Control Factors
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There is no known cure and really no way to
completely prevent it all together.
The best practice is to kill and get rid of any
infected animals as quick as possible once
detected.
How dangerous is it
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It has been determined that deer can pass this
disease on to other deer at extraordinary rates,
making it very deadly. If one deer gets infected
in a herd, the others are vulnerable to exposure.
This means that total herds can get wiped out
just like the one in Colorado.
Preventions
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The disease cannot be carried over to humans as
of right now, but there is a warning out to
hunters to always wear safety gloves when field
dressing a deer because of the risk factor.
For captivity deer, when petting them always
wash your hands after words to prevent
spreading the disease