Michigan is spending $ 4.7M to fight 'zombie' deer disease

Michigan is raising the stakes in its battle against chronic wasting disease in deer, a neurological condition that makes deer appear as "zombies."

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is teaming up with Michigan State University to $ 4.7 million in grants to support efforts targeting the disease.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is related to mad cow disease. Infected deer often looks emaciated and confused, wandering aimlessly and unafraid of humans.

Chief of the DNR Wildlife Division, Dr. Russ Mason, told the Free Press portions of the $ 4.7 million will be allocated to support four specific categories:

• $ 2.5 million for basic research, with more efficient and economical sample testing strategies.
• $ 1.5 million for practical & applied research, like understanding the movement of populations to design management strategies.
• About $ 500,000 to support multi-jurisdictional collaboration. Any group can apply and qualify for grant money, as it is located in Michigan.
• About $ 700,000 for public outreach and communication to the message that the diseases are "an existential threat to deer, and to conservation in general," Mason said.

Proposals will be accepted until 5 p.m. on June 3.

Do not eat the meat

Although Mason said there is no case in point of contention, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization advise against positive test for CWD.

"You should dispose of the meat, not consume the meat, and not feed it to pets," Mason said.

He added that there are experts who believe that CWD has the potential to cross the species barrier and infect humans.

It's a big issue in Michigan, home to roughly 600,000 deer hunters.

Mason said the goal is to keep the disease in check, with less than 1% of the population infected. When the infection rates are broken, he said, it's virtually impossible to get rid of it.

"You could literally eradicate all the deer in the area, repopulate with deer, and those would be sick," he said.

Impact on Michigan

According to DNR data, a total of 30,751 free-ranging, white-tailed deer last year were tested for CWD and 62 were positive – with Montcalm County showing the largest numbers.

"Right now, the major focus of infection seems to be in the west, central Lower Peninsula." So Montcalm County in Kent County, "a little bit into Mecosta," he said.

"Purpose, in addition, we had one animal positive in the UP, that obviously … crossed from Wisconsin, and Wisconsin has, at this point, likely to be an overcrowded problem. 50%, which will crash their population most likely. "

According to the CDC, as of March 2019, there were 270 counties 24 states reporting cases of CWD.

However, in Michigan, Mason said infections are "hovering very close" to 1% in places like Montcalm County and northeast Kent County, with one township above 1%.

"The whole control effort strategy … is to keep the disease below 1%, and if it crosses the 1% threshold, to recognize that the conditions are likely to present, for all intents and purposes, forever. it to as close to 1, or as we possibly can. "

Better testing

Mason said he hopes the grant will be easier and more accurate for the disease.

Currently, the testing process could take 7-14 days, depending on the season, and can run about $ 125 per deer.

"In the last three years, we spent about $ 15 million on testing," said Mason said. "We have to do better than that."

He added that come next year, the DNR is expecting state testing numbers to rise to as many as 45,000.

Additionally, Mason hopes a better understanding of how the disease moves on different landscapes and different parts of the state will arise. They are more likely to move in the Lower Peninsula than they are in the Upper Peninsula, where the animals are more migratory due to colder conditions.

Mason said they will have a better idea of ​​where they need to be to fight it.

CLOSE

Chronic wasting disease is deadly to deer and other cervids. Disease management areas have been established to contain the disease and prevent spreading.
Sean Heisey, York Daily Record

Contact Aleanna Siacon: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @AleannaSiacon.

more:80 walleye confiscated from fishermen

more:Red flag warning

Read or Share this story: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/04/22/michigan-zombie-deer-disease-cwd/3536952002/