CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE UPDATE
In 2005, four examples of chronic wasting disease (CWD) were recorded in Hampshire County. During the 2006 hunting season, six additional deer were discovered to have the affliction in that county.

“As part of our agency’s ongoing and intensive CWD surveillance effort, samples were collected from 1,355 hunter-harvested deer brought to game checking stations in Hampshire County,” DNR Director Frank Jezioro said. “This most recent positive CWD sample was taken from a 2 1/2-year-old buck harvested during the firearms deer season, and the deer was located within close proximity to the nine positive cases previously detected in Hampshire County.”

The breakdown of how those deer were discovered to have CWD is as follows: One was a road-killed deer; four deer were collected by the DNR in 2005, and four deer were collected in 2006; one was a hunter-harvested deer during the 2006 deer season.

“Our analysis of this CWD surveillance data indicates the disease appears to be found in a relatively small geographical area located near Slanesville, West Virginia,” Jezioro continued. “From a wildlife disease management perspective, we consider this to be encouraging news. Based upon these CWD surveillance findings, we are taking the steps necessary to implement appropriate management actions designed to control the spread of this disease, prevent further introduction of the disease, and possibly eliminate the disease from the state.”

The DNR has put into action the following within the affected area of Hampshire County.

• Continue CWD surveillance efforts designed to determine the prevalence and distribution of the disease.

• Lower deer population levels to reduce the risk of spreading the disease from deer to deer by implementing appropriate antlerless deer hunting regulations designed to increase hunter opportunity to harvest female deer.

• Establish reasonable, responsible and appropriate deer carcass transport restrictions designed to lower the risk of moving the disease to other locations.

• Establish reasonable, responsible and appropriate regulations relating to the feeding and baiting of deer within the affected area to reduce the risk of spreading the disease from deer to deer.

“Landowner and hunter cooperation throughout this entire CWD surveillance effort in Hampshire County has been just terrific,” the director said. “As we strive to meet this wildlife disease challenge and implement appropriate management strategies, the support and involvement of landowners and hunters will continue to be essential. The DNR remains committed to keeping the public informed and involved in these wildlife disease management actions.”

The DNR released a statement that details the serious nature of the affliction.

“CWD is a neurological disease found in deer and elk; it belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The disease is thought to be caused by abnormal, proteinaceous particles called prions that slowly attack the brain of infected deer and elk, causing the animals to progressively become emaciated, display abnormal behavior and invariably results in the death of the infected animal. There is no known treatment for CWD, and it is fatal for the infected deer or elk. It is important to note that currently there is no evidence to suggest CWD poses a risk for humans or domestic animals.”

And Director Jezioro emphasized the importance the DNR has placed on CWD.

“Our well-trained and professional wildlife biologists, wildlife managers and conservation officers are working diligently to fully implement the DNR’s CWD-Incident Response Plan, which is designed to effectively address this wildlife disease threat,” he said.