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December 8, 2017
T he C olumbia P ress
Disease: Chronic wasting hitting too close to home
Continued from Page 1
resents perhaps the greatest
threat to our big game be-
cause it has the potential to
devastate our ungulate pop-
ulations.”
Ungulates are hoofed ani-
mals.
The hunters association
has been seriously concerned
about preventing the dis-
ease’s spread to wild game
herds, Dungannon said.
The group advocates tight
regulations on game ranch-
ing and has funded disease
research and prevention
across the state.
People hunting in states
with CWD who harvest a
deer, elk or moose may only
bring back parts without spi-
nal cord or brain tissue, such
as antlers on a clean skullcap.
CWD is caused by a protein
prion that damages the brain
of infected animals, causing
progressive neurological dis-
ease and loss of body condi-
tion. It’s untreatable and al-
ways fatal. It spreads through
nose-to-nose contact be-
tween infected animals and
through the animal’s bodily
fluids.
The disease lasts a long time
in the environment, infecting
new animals for decades.
It’s one of the most devas-
tating wildlife diseases today,
said ODFW State Wildlife
Veterinarian Colin Gillin.
“Once CWD enters a state
and infects free-ranging deer
and elk, it has been nearly
impossible to eradicate with
present day tools,” he said.
“We want to do all we can to
keep Oregon CWD-free.”
ODFW has monitored the
state’s wildlife for CWD for
years and is increasing its
United Way of Clatsop
County sponsors Gifts That
Make a Difference from noon
to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, in
the McTavish Room at Liber-
ty Theater, 1203 Commercial
St., Astoria.
The event gathers 30 non-
profit groups, who will talk
about their projects and of-
surveillance this year by ask-
ing hunters to have their deer
or elk tested.
ODFW also asks taxider-
mists and game meat pro-
cessors throughout the state
to alert the agency or OSP if
banned deer, elk or moose
parts are brought to them
from disease-positive states.
Anyone who sees or har-
vests a sick deer or elk should
report it to the state Wildlife
Health Lab at 866-968-2600.
Cases of CWD have oc-
curred in Saskatchewan and
Alberta, Canada, and in Ar-
kansas, Colorado, Illinois,
Kansas, Maryland, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Mon-
tana, Nebraska, New Mexi-
co, New York, North Dakota,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsyl-
vania, South Dakota, Texas,
Utah, Virginia, West Virginia,
Wisconsin and Wyoming.
United Way’s Gifts That Make a Difference is Saturday
fer volunteer opportunities to
participants.
Many organizations will
have items for sale that sup-
port their agencies’ missions
along with end-of-the-year
giving opportunities.
There will be music and re-
freshments provided by Asto-
ria Women Executive Group
and Thrivent Action Team.
For more information, call
Jennifer Holen at 503-325-
1961.
Finns dish up
lunch and more
A Finnish Midwinter Holi-
day Luncheon and Bake Sale
is set for 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 14, at Suomi
Hall, 244 W. Marine Drive,
Astoria.
The lunch includes lakslo-
da, meatballs, rieska and des-
sert. There will be Finnish
baked goods for sale, a silent
auction and music.
Admission is $15 for adults
and $10 for 12 and younger.