DEC: No sign of chronic wasting disease in New York

GORDON BLOCK

A statewide test of about 2,500 deer showed no sign of chronic wasting disease in New York, the state Department of Environmental Conservation reported Friday.

The disease, which causes degeneration of the brain, abnormal behavior, emaciation and death in deer, elk and moose, is found in 22 states, and is in the same family of illness as mad cow disease. It has not been reported in humans, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Testing for the disease has taken place annually since 2002. The last confirmed case of it was found in 2005.

The state reported that in the past few years, researchers have altered their assessments to take population density, deer age and sex into account, ensuring the collection of samples from the highest-risk areas.


http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20140330/NEWS03/703299989