Chronic wasting disease: information for sportsmen, meat processors, and consumers [Aug. 2007]

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
INFORMATION FOR SPORTSMEN,
MEAT PROCESSORS, AND
CONSUMERS
AUGUST, 2007

What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?
CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of deer, elk, and moose. TSEs are caused by unusual infectious agents known as prions (composed only of protein), which cause degeneration of the nervous system.

What symptoms result from CWD?
Symptoms may include emaciation, listlessness, lowered head, blank stare, excessive salivation, and staggering or circling.

A PUBLICATION OF THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION GAME MANAGEMENT SECTION
FURTHER INFORMATION AND UPDATES ON CWD ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE FOLLOWING:
Georgia Department of Natural Resources http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com
Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance http://www.cwd-info.org
United States Department of Agriculture http://www.aphis.usda.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov

How is CWD transmitted and is it transmissible to humans?
The mode of transmission CWD is unknown at this time. Research suggests that the prions that cause CWD may be excreted though saliva and feces. Transmission may then occur when grass contaminated with CWD is ingested.
There are no verified cases where humans have contracted CWD. However, it remains a possibility and precautions should be taken.
Is it safe to eat venison?
There is no evidence to suggest that humans are susceptible to CWD. However, precautions should still be taken.
Do not eat animals that appear sick.
Wear long, disposable rubber or latex gloves when field dressing animals.
Remove meat from bones when butchering and avoid severing bones.
Do not eat brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, or lymph glands.

What states have verified the presence of CWD in their cervid population(s)? Fourteen states and two Canadian provinces have documented cases of CWD but that number is likely to increase. As of August 2007, the presence of CWD has been verified in: Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta.
(Map printed with permission of Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance)
Has CWD been found in Georgia? To date, there have been no verified cases of CWD in Georgia or any of the surrounding states. West Virginia is the nearest state to have a confirmed case of CWD. What are the State of Georgia and Georgia DNR doing to minimize the potential introduction of CWD into our deer population? Importation of any live cervid (deer species)
is prohibited.

Importation of any whole cervid carcass or carcass parts from any state with a documented case of CWD is prohibited with these exceptions: 1.) boned-out meat; 2.) commercially processed cuts of meat; 3.) meat with no part of spinal column or head; 4.) clean skull plates with antlers attached; 5.) clean antlers; 6.) finished taxidermy heads; 7.) clean upper canines (buglers, whistlers, ivories).
How can I help prevent the potential introduction of CWD into Georgia?
Report illegal importation of cervids (deer species) or cervid carcasses to GADNR through our TIP line at 1-800-241-4113 or (770) 761-3044.
Refrain from feeding deer, which concentrates deer in unnaturally high numbers and increases the likelihood of disease transmission.
Maintain a healthy local deer population through adequate doe harvest.
What should I do if I observe or harvest a deer that exhibits CWD symptoms ?
Call your regional DNR office, your local Conservation Ranger, or contact Hunter Services at (770) 761-3045.
What precautions should hunters take?
Do not harvest or handle animals that appear sick or unhealthy.
Wear latex or rubber gloves when field dressing.
Bone out all meat and avoid severing bones.
Minimize handling of brain, spinal cord, and lymph glands.

Thoroughly clean hands and tools used for field dressing.
Do not consume brain, spinal cord, and lymph glands.
Request that your deer be processed individually and that no meat from other animals be added.
What precautions should deer meat processors take?
Do not split the backbone.
Minimize handling of brain, spinal cord, and lymph glands.
Wear latex or rubber gloves to minimize exposure.
Bone out all meat and avoid severing bones.
Designate one tool for removal of head.
Sanitize all tools.
Process all deer individually and do not mix in meat from other animals.
What precautions should taxidermists take?
Minimize handling of brain, tonsils, lymph glands and any other internal tissue.
Wear latex or rubber gloves to minimize exposure.
Sanitize all tools.