- The warning comes after nine hunters brought 18 caribou
'harvested' in Canada into Maine without taking proper steps to avoid the
spread of the infectious protein that causes the disease.
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- The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
is warning hunters who harvest deer, caribou, elk or moose outside the
state to avoid practices that could potentially spread so-called Chronic
Wasting Disease -- or CWD -- into Maine.
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- CWD is caused by an infectious protein called a prion
that causes irreversible damage to brain tissue, and eventually death.
The disease has been found in animals in other states, but so far, has
not been found in Maine.
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- The warning comes after nine hunters transported 18 caribou
into Maine that had been harvested in Canada. State officials say the hunters
did not comply with state law regarding proper preparation of the carcasses.
The Maine Warden Service is investigating the incident.
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- It's against state law to transport any carcass parts
into Maine that pose a risk of containing CWD prions. Hunters are
allowed to bring in only boned-out meat, hardened antlers, hides without
the head portion and finished taxidermy mounts. Skull caps attached to
antlers must be cleaned of any tissue.
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- If it emerges in Maine, CWD could seriously reduce deer
populations, state wildlife officials say. So far, no human cases of the
disease have been reported, but the risk of people contracting CWD from
animals is unknown. State wildlife authorities are advising those hunting
in areas known to harbor the disease to minimize their risk of exposure
by taking the following precautions when handling carcasses:
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- * Do not eat the eyes, brain, spinal cord, spleen,
tonsils, or lymph nodes of any deer.
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- * Do not eat any part of a deer that appeared sick.
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- * If your out-of-state deer is sampled for CWD testing,
wait for the test results before eating the meat.
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- Field dressing:
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- * Wear rubber or latex gloves while handling the carcass.
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- * Minimize contact with the brain, spinal cord,
spleen, and lymph nodes (lumps of tissue next to organs or in fat and membranes)
as you work.
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- * Use a hunting knife, not knives used at the dinner
table.
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- * Remove all internal organs for proper disposal
by burial, or other means that prevents contact by live deer.
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- * Clean knives and equipment of residue and disinfect
in a 50/50 solution of household chlorine bleach and water for 1 hour.
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- Authorities also recommend that hunters use caution in
spreading urine-based lures in the environment, and avoid placing the lures
on their clothing or skin.
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- http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineHeadlineNews/tabid/96
- 8/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3479/ItemId/9902/Default.aspx
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