Chronic wasting disease sampling continues

The results for the first batch of brain stem samples from Nevada elk and deer collected in 2002 came back negative for chronic wasting disease, said Mike Cox, Nevada Division of Wildlife big-game staff specialist.

"We are confident that CWD does not exist in Nevada and the results of our continued sampling reinforces that observation," Cox said.

Chronic wasting disease is an untreatable, fatal neurological disease found in deer and elk in geographical locations in North America. Symptoms include staggering, emaciation and excessive drooling.

No evidence exists that shows chronic wasting disease poses a risk to humans, according to studies done by both the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,.

Nevada Division of Wildlife will be staffing voluntary check stations Saturday and Sunday to collect brain stem samples from hunters as part of the effort to detect chronic wasting disease in Nevada's elk and deer herds.

A check station will be at the intersection of state highways 447 and 34 outside of Gerlach. Another is scheduled for an area north of Winnemucca. State wildlife biologists, wardens and volunteers will staff the stations and will ask successful hunters for samples of the brain stem. Samples should be less than 48 hours old and kept cold.

For information about chronic wasting disease or any other wildlife questions contact Nevada Division of Wildlife office, or the agency Web page at www.ndow.org.