RAWLINS - A buck mule deer found dead in the north portion of deer hunt area 98 north of Rawlins has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a brain disease known to affect some deer, elk and moose. Rawlins game warden Brady Frude found the deer and due to the emaciated condition of the animal sent samples in for testing.

Personnel at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department Laboratory analyzed these samples and confirmed the positive test of the deer.

WGFD wildlife disease specialist, Hank Edwards said the discovery of CWD in that area was not unexpected since there have been positive tests in animals in deer hunt area 87 which borders area 98 to the east.

After a review of available scientific data, the World Health Organization in December 1999 stated, "There is currently no evidence that CWD in cervidae (deer and elk) is transmitted to humans." In 2004, Dr. Ermias Belay of the Center for Disease Control said, "The lack of evidence of a link between CWD transmission and unusual cases of CJD, [Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a human prion disease] despite several epidemiological investigations, suggest that the risk, if any, of transmission of CWD to humans is low." Nonetheless to avoid risk, both organizations say parts or products from any animal that looks sick and/or tests positive for CWD should not be eaten.

For more information on chronic wasting disease visit the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance website at www.cwd-info.org.

(Contact: Al Langston (307) 777-4540)

http://wgfd.wyo.gov