Iowa DNR Continues to Test Deer for Chronic Wasting Disease

Wildlife biologists with the Department of Natural Resources are again testing for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) from deer harvested in Iowa. And, again, hunters are being asked for their help; particularly in northeast Iowa. Biologists want to take 500 samples from each of six Mississippi River counties to bolster their data.

CWD is a neurological disease, caused by 'prions'--abnormal proteins that eat into the brains of infected deer and elk. In later stages, an affected animal is disoriented, lethargic, emaciated; essentially 'wasting' away. It is always fatal. "Even though no positive cases have appeared in Iowa, it is still important to test for it," stresses DNR wildlife biologist Mike Griffin. "CWD has shown up in Illinois and Wisconsin. We need to guard against it here."

Most samples will be taken from animals harvested during Iowa's December 2-6 and 9-17 shotgun deer seasons in northeast Iowa. Hunters are asked to call 563-357-6276 (for Scott, Clinton, Jackson, Dubuque County deer), 563-920-4217 (Clayton County) or 563-380-3422 (Allamakee County) to report where harvested deer can be found and tested. Roving crews will take samples from the heads of harvested deer during the shotgun deer seasons; a more effective method than asking hunters to transport deer to check stations. Those crews will go on location, to hanging sheds or in the field to minimize inconvenience to hunters. It takes just a few minutes to obtain lymph node and spinal cord sample. Only deer over 18 months of age can be tested successfully.

"Our target is 500 animals each from Scott, Clinton, Jackson, Dubuque, Clayton and Allamakee counties," explains Griffin. "We are especially watchful along that stretch of the Mississippi River that borders Illinois and Wisconsin. If CWD would spread, it is reasonable to believe it would be in that vicinity." Two more Wisconsin deer tested positive last year.

While emphasizing that no deer have tested 'positive' for CWD, Griffin urges hunters not to ignore the call for samples. "We have seen some apathy develop among the hunting public," he cautions. "We are doing this for the hunters. Hunting could be devastated in some areas, if it ever appears." Since 2000, more than 16,500 samples have been examined. Testing is underway already this fall, on deer from bow and early muzzleloader seasons and from road kills. Besides the target counties in northeast Iowa, a smaller number of samples are taken from other counties across Iowa.

Health officials emphasize that even though CWD is fatal among deer and elk, it has not been shown to spread to humans. To reduce contact in any case, hunters are encouraged to use rubber gloves when field dressing deer. And while domestic livestock can develop similar diseases (ie; 'mad cow' disease) CWD has not been shown to spread from deer and elk to cattle.