At one of the CWD meetings the DNR held in Ionia, Both Chad Stewart and Chad Fedewa gave presentations on the disease, and what the Division has done to understand the spread of the disease at this time. Around 30 people attended the meeting, and at least five deer cooperatives were represented.
Chad Stewart provided an overview of the disease. CWD is always fatal; once a deer gets the disease, it will die from it, unless something else kills it first. Deer can live with the disease for 18-24 months before showing any signs of having the disease, and can live up to five years with it. All deer are susceptible to getting the disease, but males are more commonly affected. CWD is not known to be transferrable to humans. This disease is similar to that of Mad Cow disease. About 200 people died after consuming meat contaminated by Mad Cow, but millions were exposed to the contaminated meat. This being said, while it is not known to transfer, that is not to say it couldn’t happen.
If you live in the CWD Counties (see map below), it is suggested you take your deer in to be tested. If you live in the core townships within those counties (see map below), it is REQUIRED that you get your deer tested. CWD can be transmitted directly and indirectly. CWD can be spread via urine, fecal matter, and saliva of a sick deer to another deer, either via direct contact, or the excretions being on a plant, bait pile, rub, another deer makes contact with. Once inside the body, the prions (what CWD is made of) begin to multiply. EHD (epizootic hemorrhagic disease) is another disease hunters in Michigan are familiar with.
Below is a list of differences between EHD and CWD.
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