A disease affecting certain animal populations continues to spread across the Natural State.
Chronic wasting disease was first identified in the 1960s, but wasn’t detected in Arkansas until 2016.
AJ Riggs, a Wildlife Health Biologist for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, closely studies CWD. She says the neurological disease affects the animal’s brain, leading to death, and can severely impair populations if left unchecked.
"It is a prion disease. So it's not something that's alive, so it can't be killed. It's a misformed protein, and once that protein starts misfolding, it has others misfold, and then that ultimately causes cell death, specifically or more prominently in the brain, literally making it look like Swiss cheese underneath a microscope.”
Riggs says the nature of the disease makes it difficult to detect; CWD presents physical symptoms only in its final stages, but it incubates and can spread through the population for 12 to 18 months before that.
Riggs says that, despite regulations on transporting deer across certain counties, they continue to track new cases across the region.
"We've had some of these more recent surprises in Union County, Randolph County, and now in Grant and Sevier County this past year that are likely new or individual outbreaks. The apparent prevalence rate in Newton and Searcy County is above 30% and in some cases exceeding 50%, but in all of the tier 2 counties, the apparent prevalence rate is below five percent.”
Hunters can get any kill tested for free, and Riggs said it’s important to get the test says to prevent declining numbers and to prevent consumption of infected meat.
"The easiest way to submit samples is through our CWD testing drop-off container network. There is 110 of those across the state," said Riggs. "Most of them are available 24 hours a day. Some aren't, so check that once hunting season gets a little bit closer.”
Whitetail deer are critical to both the state’s ecology and its economy. Riggs also said the research on possible transmission to humans is murky.
"Unfortunately, the answer is not cut and dry. I try to stay on top of the research. Part of the research says that yes, it can be transmitted to humans, part of it says no, there's no way, and since the research is a little bit mixed right now, and the CDC has the experience that it has with mad cow disease, the recommendation is not to consume an animal that is positive.”
The commission has much more information about Chronic Wasting Disease available on its website.
You can hear more of the conversation with Wildlife Biologist AJ Riggs by clicking the link above.
