Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disorder that affects the brain of deer, elk and other hoofed animals. It causes the animals to become lethargic, lose weight and eventually die.
After originating on deer farms, the disease is now found in 15 states - mostly in the west. It was detected as close as West Virginia in late 2005 and apparently took four years to migrate into Virginia.
The N.C. Wildlife Commission banned transport of deer, elk and other hoofed animals across state lines in 2002 to reduce chances of the disease spreading into North Carolina. There is no way to test an animal for chronic wasting disease without killing them and getting a tissue sample from the brain stem. It's possible for deer and elk to carry chronic wasting disease without showing signs.
The discovery has ramped up concerns about the disease migrating into North Carolina.
Other than West Virginia and Virginia, the next closest states to have chronic wasting disease are Oklahoma to the west and New York to the north.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission tested about 1,400 free-ranging white-tailed deer for the disease in 2009 and all came up clean.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.
Hiking Tours