DNR Press release

[Fishbonker]

For immediate release: January 20, 2015

TWO WILD DEER TEST POSITIVE FOR CHONIC WASTING DISEASE IN ALLAMAKEE COUNTY

DES MOINES – Two wild deer harvested during the recent hunting season have been confirmed positive for chronic wasting disease in Allamakee County.

The first case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a wild Iowa deer was confirmed in Allamakee County in 2014.

“This is precisely why we stepped up our efforts to increase the number of samples in a five-mile surveillance area around where we found the positive sample in 2014. The more information we have, the better position we are going to be in to implement a strategy to slow the spread,” said Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau Chief Dale Garner.

“We can’t thank hunters enough for helping us collect the samples we needed,” said Garner.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is currently working to obtain as much information as possible about the infected deer to implement its CWD response plan.
Currently, approximately half of the 300 samples collected in the surveillance area have been processed. Once all of the samples have been analyzed, Garner said public meetings will be scheduled in Allamakee County to discuss the results with the local public. DNR plans to collect additional samples.

CWD is a neurological disease affecting primarily deer and elk. It is caused by an abnormal protein, called a prion that attacks the brains of infected animals, causing them to lose weight, display abnormal behavior and lose bodily functions. Signs include excessive salivation, thirst and urination, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, listlessness and drooping ears and head. The only reliable test for CWD requires testing of lymph nodes or brain material after the animal is dead.

There is currently no evidence that humans contract CWD by eating venison. However, the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that hunters do not eat the brain, eyeballs or spinal cord of deer and that hunters wear protective gloves while field dressing game and boning out meat for consumption.

Prior to the positive detection in Iowa, CWD had been previously detected in every bordering state.

Since 2002, the DNR has collected more than 900 samples of deer from within a five-mile radius of where the deer are believed to have been harvested. Statewide, approximately 57,000 wild deer have been tested since 2002.

Media contact: Kevin Baskins, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, at 515-725-8288.

 

[jjohnson]

Bad deal. We were all crossing our fingers hoping nothing would come back positive. Curious to see how they will handle this.

 

[loneranger]

Was only a matter of time. How they will handle? Probably like other states. All out panic! Thin the deer, no food on ground anywhere ,any time, no salt anywhere,with a skeptical eye on food plots. Shame,,the problem was created by man. You can't go against nature.

 

[Packnasty]

This sucks. I wonder if the disease crossed the river or came down from MN? If it crossed the river, prepare for an eradication zone, snipers, and an all out war. If it came from MN, there's only so much we can do. I am hoping that people up in Allamakee and neighboring counties do their part to slow the spread and quit using salt licks and winter feeders. We can't stop it, but we can slow it. It was only a matter of time before we got it. It's a terrible disease, and those damn deer farmers did this

 

[Forestryguy]

This sucks. I wonder if the disease crossed the river or came down from MN? If it crossed the river, prepare for an eradication zone, snipers, and an all out war. If it came from MN, there's only so much we can do. I am hoping that people up in Allamakee and neighboring counties do their part to slow the spread and quit using salt licks and winter feeders. We can't stop it, but we can slow it. It was only a matter of time before we got it. It's a terrible disease, and those damn deer farmers did this

Just curious as to why you think the control methods would differ if the outbreak was caused by deer from different states?

I hope that eradication is not part of the plan. I can see antlerless tags numbers staying high, to encourage keeping the population low. But, as we have seen, eradication is not effective. Let it run its course, and there will be survivors that will hopefully build some kind of immunity. Shut down or make game farming of affected species much more stringent.

 

[loneranger]

I agree,,from what I have read,nothing tried has changed anything. Probably just another disease that will have to run it's coarse I agree. Will be fuel for the kill the deer lobby though!

 

[Sligh1]

the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that hunters do not eat the brain, eyeballs or spinal cord of deer

This is the worst part of the news for my family. Kids are pretty bummed that we won't be having Deer Brain Chili tonight or pickled eye balls.

On the serious side, I don't know much about this....
1) Is this "because of man"? Like, raising and transporting deer and sorts?
2) In reality, is CWD "that bad"???? I mean, I've seen areas where I've personally saw a block that had 20-30 dead deer from EHD in 2013. Wouldn't EHD be considered a million times worse?
3) Thought they had some testing & progress for treatment???
I am by far, not an expert on this, so wondering the scoop on how bad CWD really is?

 

[dedgeez]

2) In reality, is CWD "that bad"???? I mean, I've seen areas where I've personally saw a block that had 20-30 dead deer from EHD in 2013. Wouldn't EHD be considered a million times worse?


IMO EHD is much worse than CWD. My thoughts are that CWD carries more concern because of its potential harm to humans. From a strictly whitetail standpoint, I wish they would focus much harder on how to prevent the outbreak of EHD. From a simple mortality rate across the country, it's not even comparable in #'s. EHD is wicked.

We are programmed to concern ourselves with things that are harmful towards us, so IMO this is why CWD gets the nod.

Either way, bad deal for Iowa with this find, especially folks up this way.

 

[flugge]

EHD has by far been worse... if it is really in the soil, they will never be a way to get rid of it.. So why not let it run its course, if you are worried, then test the deer...

 

[loneranger]

I wonder what it is like where it has bee around for awhile,,,like up in Wisconsin? Mad cow dsease got going because they fed animal protein to cattle,,who nature says are supposed to eat plants. Am I wrong. I thot that was it,,going against nature. Possibly the deer prion is different? Thought feeding wrong stuff on deer preserves got it going?

 

[M350]

Time to chime. CWD in my county is a potential BOMB. However, I have personally sent 20-30 samples from within the intensive 5 mile zone where the first infected specimen came from last year. I have yet to have an infected deer or seen any symptomatic animals out and about. Countless hours in the tree in pursuit of trophy critters, and no crazy unhealthy deer sighted. I work in the intensive zone in Wisconsin, eradication hurt the balance of the herd, but in no means eradicated the herd.
We are in for some changes, no doubt about it. But ERADICATION is NOT on the top of the DNR list. I know the biologist up this way are very very concerned on handling this crisis in a NON "wipe em all out" manor.
Time will tell, Clayton , Winni and Fayette, better beware too----get involved in the public hearings, your hunting will be on the agenda too. Only time will tell. Personally, I believe a positive specimen could be found in any herd in any state if you look hard enough. I think its been around forever and can not be wired out. That said, I'm still trying to keep optimistic on the long term outcome.

 

[M350]

EHD...a new product is coming out of Worthington Mn, It called AniLogic.

2 of the more prominent brothers in the archery industry are endorsing it pretty heavily and have their first 10 tons being shipped to them right now. So........now we have a potential deal maker for EHD ,but there may not be any LEGAL way to administer 3 ounces per week through ingestion. Pretty cool how this stuff came out through the Vet Science industry. Testing last year was very positive. Live herd health and post mordum organ testing was very positive. Now we have a way to curve one disease, but doing so will jeopardize the spread of CWD.

yep, its going to get interesting.