Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a part of a family of diseases referred to as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), is a disease of the brain and central nervous system of cervids such as mule deer, white-tailed deer and elk. Clinical symptoms of CWD include listlessness, lack of coordination, significant weight loss, unusual behavior, paralyzation, increased thirst and urination, and eventually death. A poorly understood agent called a proteinaceous infection particle, or prion, causes CWD. Prions are destructive brain proteins that can damage healthy brain proteins.

There is no evidence that CWD can cross species to humans or to livestock; in fact, scientific studies have shown that a species barrier exists that limits the susceptibility of species other than cervids to CWD (Please see Scientific Studies below).

CWD is a rare disease in domestic elk. Since the disease was first discovered in domestic herds in 1997, fewer than 300 elk out of an estimated 160,000 domestic animals have tested positive for the disease, a prevalence of less than 0.2 %.

Out of compassion for our elk and deer and in response to consumers' health concerns, we, the North American Elk Breeders Association (NAEBA), have taken a leading role in developing a comprehensive and aggressive CWD control and eradication program.

Based on our recommendations to the United States Animal Health Association, many states in the U.S. and provinces in Canada have instituted mandatory and voluntary testing and monitoring programs. With input from the elk farming industry, both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have developed comprehensive programs for the control and eventual eradication of chronic wasting disease that include surveillance, monitoring, and indemnification (Please see Position Paper for complete outline of CWD Eradication Plan).

Below are some links that provide accurate and timely information pertaining to CWD and our fight to eradicate the disease. Please contact us if you have any questions.