Over the next two months, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is hoping to train at least 500 hunters how to harvest and prepare samples for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer.
The training courses will teach individuals to collect lymph nodes and samples from harvest deer and how to get an account with a lab to submit tests for CWD.
“Anyone can be trained to do this as long as they’re not squeamish,” Dr. Susan Culp, lead veterinarian for Texas’ Authorized Personnel Programs at TAHC, said.
Eight classes will be held over the next two months. To sign up, visit http://www.tahc.texas.gov/animal_health/cwd/cwd.htm to find your TAHC regional office.
CWD is similar to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or “mad cow”); however, there is no evidence the disease can be transmitted to humans.
The disease is 100 percent fatal and affects deer, elk, moose and other members of the cervid family.
CWD is spread through the natural movements of infected animals and their carcasses by way of prions that attack the host’s nervous system.