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A serious threat to the deer population is lurking, according to DNR officer Tom Fox.
"CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) has been moving east and we hope it doesn't come
to West Virginia," he said.
The neurological brain and nervous system disease eventually causes deer to die.
Fox said it has spread from western states to Illinois and Indiana. The disease is a
variation of Mad Cow Disease.
CWD produces small lesions in the brains of infected animals. It is characterized by
loss of body condition, behavioral abnormalities and death.
Although CWD is contagious in deer and elk, research suggests that humans, cattle
and other domestic livestock are resistant to the transmission. There have been no
verified cases of human contact.
The disease reduces the size of the deer, a condition which is already occurring in
West Virginia because of overpopulation. "CWD has not been found in West Virginia.
Testing has been taking place since 2000, and more samples are being taken," says
Fox.
When the animal is infected it may not have control over bodily functions, stagger,
stand with poor posture and lose fear of humans. They may also drink an over
abundance of water.
The animals will become very skinny.
Fox says if such conditions are observed by hunters or citizens, they should contact
the Department of Natural Resources.
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