Zombie Deer? White Tailed Deer Tests Positive for CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) In Val Verde County

Val Verde County is not so far from our hunting grounds. Should we take precaution? Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurological disease in deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family, known as “cervids.” They have also been called Zombie deer.

A deer infected with the CWD can be seen here showing signs of wasting. Other signs of contaminated deer include repeated walking patterns and walking with their head down.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in a free-ranging, 5 ½ year-old white-tailed doe between Del Rio and Amistad Reservoir, making it the first confirmed case of the disease in Val Verde County. Measures are being taken by the authorities and are implementing rules for land owners and hunters.

Containment Zone

Effective immediately under an executive order issued by TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith, a CWD Containment Zone and all associated rules for that designation are in effect within the boundaries of a line beginning in Val Verde County at the International Bridge and proceeding northeast along Spur 239 to U.S. 90; thence north along U.S. 90 to the intersection of U.S. 277/377, thence north along U.S. 277/377 to the U.S. 277/377 bridge at Lake Amistad (29.496183°, -100.913355°), thence west along the southern shoreline of Lake Amistad to International boundary at Lake Amistad dam, thence south along the Rio Grande River to the International Bridge on Spur 239. (Courtesy of the TPWD.TX.GOV)

Just to get an idea of how close the infected deer was to the RGV.

A message from the CDC Centers For Disease Control & Prevention – These studies raise concerns that there may also be a risk to people. Since 1997, the World Health Organization has recommended that it is important to keep the agents of all known prion diseases from entering the human food chain.

Transmission

Scientists believe CWD proteins (prions) likely spread between animals through body fluids like feces, saliva, blood, or urine, either through direct contact or indirectly through environmental contamination of soil, food or water. Once introduced into an area or farm, the CWD protein is contagious within deer and elk populations and can spread quickly. Experts believe CWD prions can remain in the environment for a long time, so other animals can contract CWD from the environment even after an infected deer or elk has died.(Provided by the CDC)

Zombie Apocalypse anyone? Who knows?