DWR to CWD Test Harvested Deer - Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
08/25/03
During the 2003 hunting seasons, the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) plans to sample as many harvested deer in central and eastern Utah as possible for evidence of chronic wasting disease, a disease of deer and elk which was discovered for the first time in Utah in 2002.
The statewide deer archery season began last Saturday and will continue through September 12. The DWR is asking all deer archery hunters to notify them after harvesting a deer by calling (435) 636-6731. Arrangements will be made for a biologist or conservation officer to collect lymph nodes from the head of the harvested animal. Lymph nodes will then be submitted for laboratory testing. Test results will be made available to the hunter after tests are run.
Chronic Wasting Disease is believed to be 100 percent fatal to deer and elk and may be transmitted from one animal of the same species to another. There is no evidence to indicate that transmission can occur from one species to another. Efforts are underway across the United States to isolate infected herds to prevent the spread of this contagious disease. Although devastating to a deer population, there is no evidence to suggest that humans could be affected by contact with the disease.
In the absence of conclusive proof, the DWR encourages deer and elk hunters to be cautious when handling a harvested animal. Hunters are encouraged to use latex gloves when handling and field-dressing their kill. Hunters are cautioned against cutting into the brain, spinal column, lymph nodes or bone marrow, where the disease occurs in an infected animal. Hunters should select only healthy, normal-looking animals, and avoid harvesting an animal which appears confused, emaciated, uncoordinated or abnormal in any way.
