The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recorded 197 positive cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) during the November and December deer seasons.
CWD is a fatal contagious neurological disease found in deer, elk, moose and caribou. Abnormal proteins called prions damage the brain, leading to severe weight loss, poor coordination, drooling, lethargy and eventually death. There is no vaccine or cure for CWD, and some infected animals may take months to years before showing symptoms.
Marnee Roundtree, the commission’s fish and wildlife program manager, said that while the number sounds high, it’s not concerning.
“Our 197 detections was not really a surprise based on our knowledge of the disease and where it occurred first and was detected first as well as its spread across the landscape,” Roundtree said.
But other nearby states are seeing increases in the fatal disease, including southeastern Minnesota, where levels of CWD have reached endemic thresholds.
Roundtree said hunters should be aware of animal behavior.
“Hopefully nobody is shooting, handling or consuming any animal that is acting different or is exhibiting any kind of sickness behavior,” Roundtree said.
Currently CWD is only found in deer, elk, moose and caribou; it doesn't naturally infect people, cows, other livestock or pets.
First detected in 1967 in a captive mule deer at a research facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, CWD later spread to free-ranging populations in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska. The first case in Nebraska was in Kimball County in 2000.
CWD testing in Nebraska rotates around the state every year, so comparisons from year to year aren't possible. This year Nebraska Game and Parks collected 785 samples from Buffalo, Republican, Platte and Frenchman management units. CWD was detected for the first time in Logan, Kearney and Nuckolls county.
Along with tests by Nebraska Game and Parks, hunters also have the option to test deer for CWD. Hunters in the CWD testing zone for this year's season can submit a free sample for testing. For hunters not in the testing zone, the Veterinary Diagnostic Center on University of Nebraska- Lincoln's East Campus will test samples for a fee.
“We are constantly and continually encouraging people to participate in our yearly CWD surveillance season, so that we’re able to provide the best guidance and information for our Nebraska hunters and the public in general,” Roundtree said.
For more information on CWD, ways to mitigate spread and history in Nebraska, visit outdoornebraska.gov