Chronic wasting disease spotted in West Virginia

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Chronic wasting disease, or zombie disease, is showing up in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, but what is chronic wasting disease?

CWD neurologically affects deer, elk, and other similar animals.

Wildlife disease specialist Ethan Barton says what makes this disease so sneaky is the way it develops.

Barton says, “For the bulk of the time the animal is infected, it appears to be otherwise fine and in good health. So over about an 18-24 month period, within say the last month or two of that, is when the deer is going to start exhibiting those clinical signs of disease.”

Clinical symptoms include muscle wasting and tremors. CWD is not known to affect other animals or humans. Even though it is not known to infect humans, Barton says it is best not to eat meat that has been infected.

“It probably would be advisable to avoid consuming meat from any known CWD positive animal just because the stakes are high with regard to prion diseases,” says Barton.

This hunting season, pay attention to what areas CWD has been found in and if hunting in those areas, follow the rules and regulations to stay safe this season.

“Not hunting with bait, not feeding the deer. Both of which cause congregation of animals and increased risk of disease transmission,” says Barton.

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