Chronic Wasting Disease : In News
New York State authorities recently confirmed a case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a deer facility, emphasizing the disease’s impact on deer, elk and moose populations.
- Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a progressive and fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk, moose, and other cervids (members of the deer family).
- It’s caused by abnormal proteins called prions that damage brain tissue, leading to severe neurological symptoms, weight loss, and eventually death.
- CWD is part of a group of diseases known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), which also include mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.
- CWD spreads between animals through bodily fluids, like saliva, urine, and feces, as well as contaminated soil and plants.
- There is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans.
- The disease can persist in the environment for long periods, making it challenging to control.
- Symptoms appear slowly and may include drastic weight loss, lack of coordination, drooling, excessive thirst, lack of fear of humans, and eventually death.
- Symptoms might not be visible for up to 16 months after infection.
- It is always fatal in infected animals. There is no vaccine or treatment.
