Passport to Texas

 
This is Passport to Texas

Animal health officials and wildlife biologists are concerned about Chronic Wasting Disease–or CWD–a fatal neurological disease found in deer and elk.

07—Chronic wasting disease is part of a disease family known as TSE’s, which is belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.

Doug Humphreys is a wildlife biologist and big game specialist. He says CWD is nothing new.

05—It was in Colorado in the late 60’s early 70’s when it was first detected.

Other states report CWD among populations of free-ranging deer and elk. Once contracted, it may take years before animals become symptomatic. Humphreys says CWD is transmitted from animal to animal.

08—That makes it unique compared to the other TSE’s that have usually come from contaminated feed or are just spontaneous diseases.

So far, white-tailed deer in the lone star state are clean.

04—Thus far we have not detected a positive case in Texas.

Learn more about chronic wasting disease on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program supports our series and works to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.