Chronic Wasting Disease program set Aug. 11 in Hondo

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contacts: Derrick Drury, 830-741-6180, derrick.drury@ag.tamu.edu

Dr. John Tomecek, 325-653-4576, john.tomecek@ag.tamu.edu

HONDO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, in cooperation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, will conduct a townhall-style informational program on chronic wasting disease from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 11 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1303 Ave. M in Hondo.

Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist in San Angelo, said the program is free, open to the public and will provide the most current and accurate information available on the disease.

“Given the recent detection of chronic wasting disease in a captive white-tailed deer in Medina County, educating the public about the disease is essential to keep the disease contained,” Tomecek said.

The incident, which was on a deer-breeding facility, was the first case of chronic wasting disease detected in captive white-tailed deer in Texas, he said.

“This program will give attendees a better understanding of chronic wasting disease as well as provide them with an update on the present situation from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission. And probably most importantly, we’ll end the program with a public question-and, answer session, so those attending can ask questions directly of the agency experts who are in charge of the educational and disease containment components.”

The program topics and speakers will include:

– Introduction, Derrick Drury, AgriLife Extension agent in Medina County.

– What is Chronic Wasting Disease?, Tomecek.

– Update on the Chronic Wasting Disease Situation, Clayton Wolf, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife division director, Austin.

For more information and to RSVP, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Medina County at 830-741-6180 or email Drury at derrick.drury@ag.tamu.edu .

Tomecek said Chronic Wasting Disease affects the nervous system of deer, elk and moose.

“As its name implies, it causes the affected animal to waste away and eventually die,” he said. “It was first reported in Texas in wild mule deer in Far West Texas in 2012. That was the first reported instance in the state until the Medina County confirmation.

“There is no evidence that the disease can be transmitted to sheep, goats, cattle or humans.”

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