- CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, CERVID - USA (05) (MARYLAND)
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- Date: 10 Feb 2010
- Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources [edited]
- http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2011/021011a.asp?
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- Chronic wasting disease found in a white-tailed deer
in Maryland
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- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received
laboratory confirmation on 10 Feb 2011 that a white-tailed deer harvested
in Maryland tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). This is
the 1st confirmed case of CWD in Maryland. A hunter in Allegany County
reported taking the deer on 27 Nov 2010 in Green Ridge State Forest. Maryland
joins 20 other states and Canadian provinces with CWD documented in deer,
elk or moose.
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- "Our team of wildlife professionals has been preparing
for this result for some time so we are well-informed and ready to limit
the impact of this event," said Paul Peditto, director of DNR's Wildlife
and Heritage Service. "We have sampled intensively for this disease
since 2002 and see this as an unfortunate but somewhat inevitable outcome.
The good news is that our preparation and planning ensure a sound scientific
foundation for our response to this single positive test result. With the
continued cooperation of hunters, farmers, deer processors and landowners
who have supported our monitoring effort, we will manage this deer disease
consistent with the best available science and with minimal impact on our
deer population and the people who enjoy these great animals."
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- "Concerns over CWD should not stop anyone from enjoying
venison," added Peditto, who explained that only 4 species of the
deer family are known to be susceptible to CWD: elk, mule deer, moose and
white-tailed deer. Of these, only the white-tailed deer occurs in the wild
in Maryland and there are no reported cases of transmission to humans or
other animals.
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- As always, hunters are advised to exercise caution and
never consume the meat of sick animals. Hunters are also advised to avoid
contact with the brain, spinal column or lymph nodes of deer -- all of
which are normally removed during the butchering process.
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- This is the 1st positive sample out of nearly 6800 deer
tested in Maryland since 1999. From 2002 until 2009 that sampling occurred
statewide. In 2010, sampling efforts were focused on Allegany and western
Washington counties due to the presence of positive cases in nearby West
Virginia and Virginia. West Virginia 1st detected CWD in Hampshire County
in 2005 and it was found in Frederick County, Virginia in early 2010.
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- "Maryland will continue to work closely with the
wildlife professionals in our adjacent states to share information and
coordinate response efforts. However, our primary goal is to ensure the
public is fully informed and knows what we know when we know it. We want
to be certain that every interested Marylander understands this disease
and recognizes that there is no risk to people, pets or domestic livestock.
As in every other state with CWD, we will respond appropriately while ultimately
learning to live with this disease with little impact to our wildlife or
citizens," Peditto concluded.
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- For more information on CWD in Maryland and the DNR Response
Plan, please visit the DNR website at
- http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Hunt_Trap/deer/disease/cwdinformation.asp
-
- --
- communicated by:
- ProMED-mail
- promed@promedmail.org
-
- This represents an expansion of the disease, but Maryland
seems to be surrounded by it, and so it was only a matter of time as diseases
have no respect for borders.
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- However, Maryland is to be commended for not over-reacting
to a disease that has been in the US for many decades now.
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- The warning for hunters is appropriate. Continued surveillance
is appropriate. We hope your case rate remains low. - Mod.TG
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- The interactive HealthMap/ProMED map for Maryland is
available at
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- http://healthmap.org/r/012S - CopyEd.EJP
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-
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- Patricia A. Doyle DVM, PhD Bus Admin, Tropical Agricultural
Economics Univ of West Indies Please visit my "Emerging Diseases"
message board at:http://www.emergingdisease.org/phpbb/index.php Also
my new website: http://drpdoyle.tripod.com/ Zhan le Devlesa tai
sastimasa Go with God and in Good Health
-
- Benjamin Franklin said, "They that
- can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve
- neither liberty nor safety."
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