Now CWD has been found in Jefferson County. A deer could get from Jefferson County to Warren County in a day. Not likely, but it could.

Chronic Wasting Disease, CWD, was initially detected in 1967 in a captive Colorado mule deer. Before reaching Pennsylvania, it has spread into 21 states and two Canadian provinces. CWD had been confirmed in three of our bordering states: Maryland, West Virginia and New York. CWD infected deer in West Virginia were found within just a few miles of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania became the 22nd state in October of 2012 when a captive deer was found to have CWD at a farm in Adams County. That deer had been born and raised in captivity.

Captive deer have been involved in too many cases in which CWD reached new areas. It seems that by now a means should be in place to prevent the transport of CWD-infected deer.

Pennsylvania was prepared for CWD, or as prepared as a state can be. A CWD Interagency Task Force began examining the threat to captive and wild deer and elk populations well before it was detected in this state.

The task Force includes members from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health, the Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the Pennsylvania State University/Cooperative Extension Offices.

One of the first actions taken was then Game Commission Executive Director Carl Roe establishing a 600 square mile Disease Management Area 1 in Adams County and York County, where CWD was first detected in Pennsylvania. Also by executive order several special regulations were set to keep CWD from spreading either into or out of Pennsylvania.

Then three deer taken by hunters during the firearms deer season of 2012 were found to be infected with CWD. Two were found in Blair County, one in Bedford County. These were detected by the Game Commission during deer aging field checks. Tissue samples were tested by the Department of Agriculture, and were found to be suspect positive. CWD was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, at Ames, Iowa.

Disease Management Area 2 was established,

Another deer with CWD was found this past spring at a captive deer farm in Jefferson County. Disease Management Area 3 was established.

CWD is a serious threat to our deer and elk. Hunters and others who frequently see deer should learn the signs of CWD and be watchful.

Symptoms of CWD in deer can include excessive salivation, weight loss, increased drinking, increased urination, stumbling, trembling and depression.

CWD is a degenerative brain disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk. It is passed between deer by animal contact with saliva, feces or urine. It is fatal. There is no vaccine, nor any known treatment.

Do not feed deer. This causes deer to congregate which increases the chances of CWD being spread.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, there is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans, nor is there evidence that eating CWD positive deer will transmit the disease to humans. Nonetheless, the Game Commission advises not eating any part of deer that have tested CWD positive.

Hunters should wear nitrile or rubber gloves while field dressing deer or elk to minimize contact.

The Game Commission wants hunters who see deer or elk that are believed to be sick not to kill, disturb or remove the animal. Accurately document the location and contact the Game Commission regional headquarters.

Do not remove high risk deer or elk parts from a CWD Disease Management Area, nor bring them into Pennsylvania from elsewhere. High risk parts are listed on the Cervid Parts Importation Ban which can be linked through the Game Commission web site, www.pgc.state.ps.us. On the opening page click on CWD Information, then click on spring 2014 which is a news release listing high risk parts and low risk parts.

Visit the Game Commission web site listed above to learn more about CWD.