Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer and Elk

ISBN: 0-9547185-4-2

Editorial Overview:
National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC)

Associate Editors:
Debra C Bourne MA VetMB PhD MRCVS (WIN)
F Joshua Dein VMD (NWHC)
Suzanne I Boardman BVMS MRCVS (WIN)

Wildlife Information Network developed this Wildpro volume to assist wildlife managers, veterinarians and others responding to this emerging disease of wild and farmed deer.

The volume runs from a central flowchart divided into sections. The description of Chronic Wasting Disease in deer and elk includes incubation, time course, persistence, morbidity, mortality, life stages affected and susceptibility. Clinical signs and pathology are covered, along with diagnosis, treatment and environmental and population level control measures.

There is a section on prions, the unusually configured proteins associated with this disease.This addresses ways to detect and identify prions, describes their structure and diversity and lists their host species. Data is provided on the degree of hazard to humans and other species, cellular reactions, mechanisms of contamination and transmission, means of inactivation, environments and geographical distribution.

The core disease management pages deal with the requirements for informing and educating health professionals and the public. A case study in Wisconsin documents the approach to the disease in one location. Reasons for control of this disease are discussed, along with actions available and factors to be considered in decision making, in both wild and farmed animals and whether the disease is established in an area or newly introduced.

A section on disease costs and consequences sets out the impact the disease and control measures may have on the individual animal, the animal and human population, and the environment.

Other pages detail import and travel restrictions, national contingency plans, diagnosis and surveillance, culling and carcass disposal, vaccines, genetic manipulation, quarantine and disinfection.

A directory lists sources of CWD information. An electronic library of full-text documents is included, as are video clips to demonstrate necropsy and collection of samples for diagnosis.

Acknowledgements

Editorial Overview: National Wildlife Health Center
Associate Editors: Debra C Bourne, F Joshua Dein and Suzanne I Boardman

This volume is to provide information on the investigation, epidemiology and control of Chronic Wasting Disease. For direction, electronic materials and peer review, we thank:

Chris Brand, Christine Bunck, Tosia Priebe, Kathy Wesenberg, Scott Wright (USGS, National Wildlife Health Center); Lynn Creekmore (National Wildlife Research Center, USDA Wildlife Services); Ed Hoover (Colorado State University); Terry Kreeger (Wyoming Game and Fish); Julie Langenberg, Robert Rolley (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources); Ian McConnell (Cambridge University Veterinary School); Gary Miller, Mike Miller and Laurie Baeten (Colorado Division of Wildlife); Bruce Morrison (Nebraska Game and Parks); Michael Samuel, John Cary, Damien Joly (University of Wisconsin- Madison, Wildlife Ecology); Beth Williams (University of Wyoming, Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory).

Published by Wildlife Information Network Copyright © March 2004