Published Date: 2004-01-01 23:50:00
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervids - Canada (SK)
Archive Number: 20040101.0005

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, CERVIDS - CANADA (SK)
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A ProMED-mail post
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ProMED-mail, a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: 1 Jan 2004
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: Broadcast News, 17 Dec 2003 [edited]
<http://www.cp.org/english/hp.htm>


4 new cases of chronic wasting disease in the province has Saskatchewan
Environment pondering what to do next.

Yesterday, the provincial environment department confirmed that 4 mule deer
shot near Swift Current during the first half of November tested positive for
the disease. That brings the total to 11 cases [since fall 2003] and 23
since testing began.

There is no evidence of exactly where the disease originated in the
province or whether it can spread from cervids to other species.

Val Geist, of the University of Calgary, says chronic wasting disease (CWD)
is closely related to mad cow disease and should be taken more seriously.
Geist suggests [that is] because urbanites aren't particularly concerned with
what's going on in the wild.

--
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Mr. Geist is not entirely correct. CWD has existed in areas of Colorado
and Wyoming for 40-50 years, and there is still no evidence of its
transmission to any other species. Although CWD is a member of the
transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) family of diseases,
pathologists indicate that the brain tissues looks very different from that
produced by the other members of the TSE family.

Research has been following this disease closely for several decades, and
there are more questions than answers. However, current evidence indicates
it is a disease of cervids. Since the mode of transmission between cervids is
not defined, it is a concern from a wildlife management perspective, and
[also] from an animal health perspective, as there are more and more captive
cervids being raised as livestock. - Mod.TG]

See Also

Chronic wasting disease, cervids - Canada (SK) (02) 20030314.0633
Chronic wasting disease, cervids - Canada (SK) 20030206.0319
Chronic wasting disease, elk - Canada (SK) 20030115.0123
2002
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Chronic wasting disease, cervids - Canada (Alberta) 20021108.5750
Chronic wasting disease, cervids - Canada (SK) 20021026.5645
Chronic wasting disease, cervids - USA, Canada 20020527.4332
Chronic wasting disease, cervids - Canada 20020401.3858
2001
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Chronic wasting disease, wild deer - Canada (SK) (03) 20010723.1436
Chronic wasting disease, wild deer - Canada (SK) (02) 20010628.1229
Chronic wasting disease, wild deer - Canada (SK) 20010409.0697
1996
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Chronic wasting disease - Canada & USA (2) 19960620.1132
Chronic wasting disease - Canada & USA 19960613.1094
Chronic wasting disease - Canada 19960501.0841
.....................tg/pg/jw

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