TexasDeer.Com

12/31/99

A U.S. map showing affected states..and photos of CWD-infected deer
may be obtained by calling or e-mailing Carla Everett, public information
officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710.  My e-mail is
ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us


NEWS RELEASE
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 *Austin, TX 78711 *1-800-550-8242, x710 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Terry Beals, DVM* Executive Director


For Immediate Release *  Texas Deer Show No Signs of Rare Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a  rare and fatal disease that destroys
brain function in deer and elk, has been in the media spotlight this fall,
but Texas animal health officials say the disease has not been diagnosed in
the state.  Furthermore,  measures have been taken to prevent the
introduction of the disease into Texas, and nationally, surveillance has
been instituted to watch for possible cases.

"Since l978, fewer than 200 CWD-infected deer and elk have been detected in
the U.S.," said Dr. Gary Svetlik, Texas' assistant area veterinarian in
charge for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Services.  "In a
small contiguous area in Southeast Wyoming and Northeast Colorado, this
rare disease is considered endemic, or naturally occurring in three to five
percent of free-ranging deer.  Infection also has been limited to four
captive elk operations in South Dakota, and one each in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado
and Montana."

"More than 4,500 hunter-killed free-ranging deer and elk have been examined
outside the endemic area, and no infected animals have been found," said
Dr. Svetlik, who works extensively with this family of diseases called
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), of which CWD is a member.

CWD,  first seen in l967 at a Colorado wildlife research facility,  is
thought to be caused by a "prion," an agent smaller than a bacteria or
virus, that lodges itself in the brain of deer and elk, resulting in
emaciation, tremors, hyper-salivation and extreme thirst.  Changes in the
animal's behavior can include listlessness and lack of fear of humans.
Death occurs within  six to eight months after signs are exhibited.  There
is no live-animal test, so veterinarians and researchers must depend on
visual cues for suspected cases. To confirm infection, brain tissue must be
examined after the animal dies or is sacrificed.

"To prevent the introduction of this disease into Texas, and to protect our
free-ranging deer and the captive deer and elk herds, the Texas Animal
Health Commission (TAHC) and USDA in Texas has worked with a team of
wildlife and captive deer cooperators to institute state entry requirements
for deer and elk," said Dr. Terry Beals, Texas' state veterinarian and head of
the TAHC, the state's livestock health regulatory agency.  Deer and elk not
indiginous to Texas are included under the umbrella of the TAHC, and a
large number of these animals are either farmed or ranched in the state.
He explained that the regulations were adopted by the TAHC's 12
governor-appointed commissioners and endorsed  by  groups such as the North
American Deer Farmers' Association, the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department, and Exotic Wildlife Association.

The TAHC regulations stipulate that deer and elk may be imported only from
states that consider CWD to be a reportable disease.  Animal health
officials in the exporting state must also have authority to quarantine
affected herds, remove infected, high-risk or exposed animals, and impose a
monitoring program for the remaining animals, to include the collection
and examination of tissue from animals that die on the affected premise
when they are older than 16 months of age.  (CWD has a long incubation
period, so the disease has not been seen in younger deer and elk.)

"It's very important that anyone relocating deer and elk know the status of
the herd of origin," said Dr. Svetlik.  "Likewise, this is sound management
advice for moving any species of livestock and is key to preventing the
introduction of any number of diseases."

As a surveillance measure in Texas,  the TAHC and USDA advises hunters to
notify the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, if they see deer or elk
exhibiting potential central nervous system disorders, including
staggering, drooling, or extreme emaciation, so the animal may be tracked,
evaluated and possibly harvested for tissue collection.   "Note the
animal's location and description, but don't  shoot it, as brain tissue
must be collected shortly after death, if it is to be submitted to the National   Veterinary
Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa," said Dr. Svetlik.   "Also, don't handle
the animal, as it could be affected by any one of several diseases that
cause similar signs, including rabies or tuberculosis, both of which are
dangerous to human health."

Dr. Svetlik said hunters should consider taking simple precautions when
processing deer, to protect themselves from the  possibility of exposure to
parasites or disease. "Wear rubber gloves when processing  deer," he said.
"Also avoid processing or consuming lymph nodes,  eyes, the spleen, brain,
or spinal code.  In the remotest chance that the animal has been exposed to
a disease, such as CWD, these tissues are most likely to be contaminated."

As for consuming venison, Dr. Svetlik tells hunters to handle the meat
safely, by chilling and cooking it properly, as they would any meat
product, and enjoy their meal.  "There is no scientific evidence to
indicate that CWD poses a human health risk. Since CWD is a disease of deer
and elk, we would expect to see clinical disease in these species if it was
introduced into the state," he said.  "A brain disorder in humans, called
Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (CJD) also is a member of the TSE family. CJD
apparently strikes randomly one in a million persons worldwide. Victims
come from a wide variety of backgrounds and regions of the world.  In the
U.S., the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, conduct an
epidemiological investigation on each case, to learn more about the
disease."

"Can I say we're 100 percent certain we'll never see a case of CWD in
Texas?" asked Dr. Svetlik.   "No.  Scientifically, 100 percent could be
assured only if we  harvested and collected samples from every deer and elk
in the state.   Then, what would hunters do on those beautiful fall days
during the season?  What we can do is enforce import regulations, conduct
surveillance, stay abreast of the situation in other states and share this
information with the production and hunting industry."

10/20/99

STOLEN 28 POINT BUCK IN KNOX AREA, CLARION COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

(REWARD FOR SAFE RETURN)