Deadly Chronic Wasting Disease Making Rounds in North Carolina Deer Populations

Wildlife officials are closely monitoring the situation to try to prevent the spread of a deadly chronic wasting disease that is affecting deer across the US and has now been discovered in North Carolina.

Chronic Wasting Disease

According to state biologists, it is known as Chronic Wasting Disease and is a prion disease with a 100% mortality rate in deer. Weight loss, sluggishness, and staggering are symptoms of the illness in deer.

Hunters who have expressed their concerns to Channel 9 about the disease and its effects on the deer population are very concerned. In Yadkin and Surry counties, which are located north of Charlotte, it has so far been discovered in three deer. Testing has been required in the region to find out more about the spread of the disease.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is testing people across the state after the first case was discovered in deer in this state in March. Scientists must take a deer's lymph nodes out for testing, and they are collaborating closely with hunters as well as meat processors to gather samples. Additionally, researchers have set up freezers at various locations in the hopes that hunters as well as other participants will voluntarily contribute research samples.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the deadly disease not only affects deer but also elk, sika deer, reindeer, and moose. In some parts of North America, which include the United States and Canada, as well as in Norway and South Korea, it has been discovered.

Containment

Danny Ray, a wildlife biologist from North Carolina, says that the goal of the testing is to keep the disease localized where it is currently found and prevent its spread.

According to Ray's statement in an interview with WSOC-TV Channel 9, his team is making every effort to prevent people from removing deer and deer parts from that infected area.

Human Health Risks

According to the New York State Department of Health, there is currently no proof that hunting increases the risk of contracting CWD. The risk of other illnesses, such as rabies, may vary depending on the handling of the animal.

Hunters should take the usual safety precautions when dealing with any animals, like avoiding sick animals or those that act strangely. Any possible rabies exposures, such as animal bites, contact with the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, or mouth, or with a fresh, open wound as well as the saliva, brain, or other nervous tissue of the animal, must be reported to the local health department.

Infected Deer

If there has been any human contact that raises suspicion, a report must be made to the local health department because a sick deer may have rabies. Subsequent CWD testing will be performed on animals that test negative for rabies.

The state anticipates testing a large number of deer. The majority of that testing will take place around Thanksgiving throughout most of the muzzle-loading season and the beginning of the rifle season.