Ticks spreading ‘wasting disease’ among Wisconsin deer.
Ticks spreading 'wasting disease' among Wisconsin deer.
Ticks Identified as Potential Spreaders of Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin’s Deer Population
Ticks, often regarded as pesky creatures lurking in tall grass or wooded areas, may be playing a significant role in the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer populations across Wisconsin. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison revealed that ticks can harbor transmissible amounts of the protein particle responsible for CWD, a fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk, and moose.
CWD is caused by a pathogen known as prion, which can pass through various means including soil and bodily fluids like feces. The prion prompts certain proteins in the brain to fold abnormally, preventing them from carrying out their normal functions and causing severe brain damage over time. Ultimately, this leads to the death of the infected deer.
While many studies have focused on the role of soil in the spread of CWD, researcher Heather Inzalaco, from the Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, sought to explore other potential means of transmission. Inzalaco’s curiosity led her to investigate tick infestations in deer. These arachnids acquire blood from CWD-infected deer, but Inzalaco wondered if they could also carry the prions responsible for the disease.
“Different animals interact with each other in ways that we might not observe,” Inzalaco explained. “Deer groom each other to get places they can’t reach themselves, which includes removing ectoparasites like ticks. However, if they are eating these parasites in the process, it might be problematic.”
In the lab, Inzalaco determined that ticks could carry the prions in their blood and possibly infect another animal with CWD. To further validate her findings, she collaborated with the state Department of Natural Resources and examined ticks collected from deer hunted by hunters who submitted their kills for CWD testing. Out of the 176 deer with ticks studied, 15 tested positive for CWD.
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Inzalaco’s research confirmed that ticks can carry transmissible levels of prions, making them potential mechanical vectors for the disease. “They’re like little CWD ‘tic-tacs’ that are possibly being eaten by the deer,” Inzalaco humorously described.
Although the study did not investigate whether prion-carrying ticks directly cause transmission to other deer, the findings shed light on the potential role of ticks in the spread of CWD. Understanding how the disease is transmitted is crucial for developing effective management strategies.
Treating all wild deer with tick preventatives is not practical, but Inzalaco suggests that better land stewardship could help manage tick populations. This includes maintaining contiguous habitats of native plant communities and implementing proper management practices such as the natural use of fire. Research has shown that limiting invasive plants promotes tick control.
The study’s findings were published in the journal Nature, offering valuable insights into the mechanism of CWD transmission. By expanding our understanding of how prion diseases spread, scientists and wildlife management agencies can work towards improved disease management and prevention strategies.
For more information on chronic wasting disease, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
