“I thought that they were initially there to look after us. That did not happen and the tragedy is that Grant is now dead. This thing was totally avoidable if the proper actions had been taken by the people that were in charge” (Lorimer). This quote comes from the British Broadcasting Corporation’s documentary of the Mad Cow disease epidemic set in the United Kingdom. Grant was just one of 177 adolescents taken by this lethal contagion of the 1990s. Parents, like Grant’s, watched their children waste away, and along with their childs’ deterioration went with it any trust they had left in the UK government. Not just governments – companies and organizations also – possess great power over the lives they influence, and with such a rapidly evolving world these entities have the responsibility of protecting their people using the most accurate information possible. In the public health sphere, new findings are constantly being discovered. These discoveries, if not applied efficiently and correctly, could cost not only money or resources, but lives.

Public education and public health are closely intertwined. Public health does not just entail basic facts about nutrition and exercise, but also is based on principles of disease control and prevention in humans and animals. Currently, an accelerating epidemic of the infective Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is circulating in varied animal species across the North American Continent and beyond. This disease is producing problems at an ecological, economical, and health level for not just the United States as a whole, but also in several distinct states. As more general awareness increases about CWD, specifically for those who are in contact with infirm animals the most frequently, and also in CWD-infected locations, the more research can be advanced and damages can be reversed. In Utah, the Hunters Education department should implement into its curriculum information about Chronic Wasting Disease in order to educate hunters on what it is; such education would improve research efforts and maximize the prevention of disease spread into unaffected territories.

While this earth and its ecosystems possess a vast variety of organisms, each and every living organism is built upon the same biological building blocks: cells. Cells, too, are made up of even smaller building blocks called proteins. Proteins fold into many different forms and perform many different functions, from maintaining cell shape to kickstarting biochemical processes. Prion proteins are a special protein that are typically associated with the central and peripheral nervous systems and are rooted within all mammal species. This type of protein, as accounted by prion analysts Andrew R. Castle and Andrew C. Gill, assists in maintenance of the myelin sheath on neuronal cells, as well as processes of neuron cell maturation, also known as cellular differentiation (Castle & Gill). Prion proteins, primarily, have received much attention for their dangerous ability to misfold, replicate in this mutated fashion, and subsequently cause major neurological disorder within the affected organism. A notable characteristic of all prion diseases is that every case,”…is always fatal”, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (“Prion Diseases”). Although the outcome is inevitably deadly, symptoms and modes of transmission are unique to each prion disease. Common prion diseases include Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in cows, Scrapie in goats, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in humans, and Chronic Wasting Disease in various animal species.

Chronic Wasting Disease is a particular form of prion disease that affects the Cervidae family: variants of deer, elk, reindeer, and moose species. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) gives an illustrative description of the signs and symptoms present with CWD: “The most obvious sign of CWD is progressive weight loss. Numerous behavioral changes also have been reported, including decreased social interaction, loss of awareness, and loss of fear of humans. Diseased animals also may exhibit increased drinking, urination, and excessive salivation” (“What are the…”). These symptoms develop slowly. The incubation period (the time in between initial infection and first presentation of symptoms) averages between 18-24 months (“What are the…”). This can be difficult for statistical analysis as well as disease control; the incubation period is so long that by the time the animal is exhibiting symptoms, the prions could have shed off into the environment and therefore could have already had many possibilities to afflict other animals. CWD is a very contagious disease due to its mechanisms of transmission. CWD can be spread through direct contact with bodily fluids or tissues of infected animals, or indirect contact with environmental factors like soil, water, or food, as stated by the CDC (“Transmission”). Not only does it have copious transmission methods, but Penn State University forestry professors Calvin Norman and Katie Brooks state that,”Prions can exist in the soil for at least two years, though it is likely that it can survive longer” (Norman & Brooks). This characteristic of CWD further reinforces the difficulty of tracking exactly its transmission chain.

Cases of Chronic Wasting Disease have been reported in the United States, Canada, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and South Korea. In the US, outlined by the USGS, CWD has been detected in 30 states as of March 2023 (National Wildlife Health Center). Although the origins of CWD are still unknown, it was first recognized in a captive deer population located in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1967. Originally thought to be just malnutrition, investigators quickly discovered the cause of the sick animal within a few years. 1981 brought with it the first determined case of CWD in the wild. Before the year 2000, CWD was only found in wild herds in 13 counties across the US , but has now skyrocketed to approximately 440 counties.

This upsurge of disease allocation is mirrored by modeling studies performed in southeastern Wyoming, showing a drastic population decline of 21% annually in deer populations with detected CWD (Rivera et al.). Predictions for future dispersal of this disease are challenging to calculate because of a variety of factors such as region, circulation, incubation period, and so forth.

This almost-instantaneous development of CWD is negatively impactful in multiple ways. Economies, both on a national and state level, rely heavily on assorted industries such as farmed cervids, hunting, and meat production (all in which Chronic Wasting Disease interferes) for growth and sustainability. One study concluded that, between 2000-2021, “Federal government agencies collectively spent at least $284.1 million” on CWD-related work (Chiavacci). Though the economic downfalls of CWD are apparent, there is an even greater concern about CWD in the context of human health. No cases of human Chronic Wasting Disease have ever been reported; it has not by now shown any ability to jump species.

Nonetheless, researchers are worried that humans could soon also become susceptible to this disease. Recently, experiments have been conducted on several primate species to determine if CWD transmission is possible to a genome similar to that of humans. The results have been mixed; some monkeys became infected, others no. “Nevertheless,” said the CDC, “these experimental studies raise the concern that CWD may pose a risk to people and suggest that it is important to prevent human exposures to CWD” (“Transmission”). Studies are still ongoing as the potential of this disease is being uncovered.

Still, the fact remains: no human cases as of yet. Because this disease only targets certain animals, distress about CWD might be considered irrelevant to human populations. A “robust species barrier”, explains the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance, has not only been the explanation for lack of human transferal, but the explanation for other mammals as well (“CWD: The Basics”). The irrelevance in relation to zoonotic (animal to human) infection and distribution perhaps deem it unnecessary for public education. But, even though human transmission has not been proven yet, does not mean it is impossible and will never occur. Take, for example, the aforementioned Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy – Mad Cow Disease. In the mid 1980s, ranchers in the United Kingdom started giving feed to their cattle containing a prion protein strain. Unknowingly, these cows later became infected with this prion disease, were butchered, and then sold to market. The prions snuck their way up the food chain – from market meat into the mouths of UK citizens. 10 years later, these people in the UK began to show signs of a novel prion abnormality, which was later defined as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, as the signs and symptoms imitated those of the established Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, but in much younger victims. This outbreak of prion disease has left lasting footprints on the world at large, and the consequences from this event are still being played out in the lives of thousands if not millions.

Summarized in the journal NewScientist in the article “The Legacy of BSE”, this story shows that we must always expect the unexpected (“The Legacy of BSE”). The possibility of a repeat of this piece of history is always looming, and as more prion examination is done, only time will tell if venison meat brings with it the same fate.

Meat consumption in the US is highly integral to both its culture and economy. Although venison (deer, elk, reindeer, moose) meat is not among the most common meats consumed in the US, Daniel Schmidt in his synopsis of the Deer Hunters’ 2023 Almanac, states that 315 million pounds of wild venison are still consumed annually in the country (Schmidt). Similarly, the National Deer’s Association concluded that the 2020-2021 season saw the largest deer harvest in 21 years with 6.3 million deer reported across the country (NDA Staff). This increase of harvested deer combined with the amount of venison consumption clearly demonstrates that interaction with wildlife is not slowing down, nor can it, and that is not something that I am here to argue. Deer, elk, moose, and reindeer all play key parts in their ecosystems in which they reside. By contrast, hunting is a crucial part of ecological management of these animals to control population sizes. So while scientists are concerned about the rise of CWD cases and thereby the elevated risk of eventual CWD propagation in humans, it would be irrational to claim that any and all connection with these animals and their environments should be banned. Rather, those who come in contact with these particular animals the most often should be aware of this pathogen and its relevance in their respective circumstances.

Hunters make up a significant amount of people that regularly engage with wild animals and their habitats. The US Fish and Wildlife Services, a federal government agency responsible for protecting and conserving wildlife and their ecosystems, gave a detailed report in 2020 regarding the amount of paid hunting license holders for each state, totalling 15,158,443 license holders for the nation, including 249,765 hunters originating in Utah (“Hunting License Data”). In order to hunt anything in Utah, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) gives the following requirements: “ If you were born after Dec. 31, 1965, you must provide proof that you’ve passed a hunters education course approved by the DWR before you can apply for or obtain a hunting license or permit. Applicants that apply for a permit without having completed a Hunter Education course will be rejected in the drawing” (“Hunting”). This means that a considerable number of hunters in the state of Utah were required to pass a hunters education course before pursuing any hunting activity. The curriculum for Utah’s Hunters Education includes an in-depth course (either online or in-person), hands-on training, a live-fire shooting exercise, and a written exam. Most notably, this course is provided by the Hunters Education department of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources itself.

Utah’s Hunters Education department oversees what new hunters are learning about through its instructional resources. One of those resources is Today’s Hunter in Utah — a comprehensive manual designed to, “…develop safe, ethical, and responsible hunters and to ensure the continuation of the hunting tradition” (pg. 4). I remember receiving one of these manuals as a beginner hunter myself, and I appreciated how much it, along with the various PowerPoints and instructors, helped me understand safe hunting practices that ultimately led to me passing the course. Not only did this course enlighten me, but it helped refresh my father on new information that had emerged since he was a beginner, which benefitted us all as we became up-to-date on the latest accurate knowledge in the hunting realm. As CWD cases continue to rise throughout the US, and as new information becomes available, the Utah Hunters Education department has an excellent opportunity to teach future generations of hunters on what this disease is and how they can assist in the limitation of its expansion and mitigation of its potential zoonotic escalation.

This change in curriculum may bring bountiful benefits to the Utah hunting community, but it could be possibly cumbersome. If changes to the course were to be made, the educational material needs to be updated as well. This would mean reprinting new copies of the manual, as well as the time it would take to update all the other material and potentially creating a question about CWD on the final exam. Also, additional training would have to be given to the instructors for the course. Conversely, increased use of technology can aid in lessening the costs accompanying this curriculum update. The national Hunters Ed website advertises states where hunters education is accepted to be done online, with Utah being one of 12 states approved for online completion (hunteredcourse.com). With the rapid improvement of online schooling, hunter training has been seen to be productive both on an in-person level, as well as an online level. The instructional tools, including Today’s Hunter in Utah, would be much easier to update online because printing of these materials would not be nearly as necessary – they could be accessed freely through their website. Not only is this an economical advantage, but the materials online can be updated about nearly any other subject other than CWD with ease and be accessible for any other hunter whenever they need, regardless if they are taking the course.

Already, the Utah DWR has resources available to the public to teach about Chronic Wasting Disease, which could deter DWR administrators from adding CWD to its Hunters Education program. On the Utah DWR website, there is a page dedicated to CWD and its effects on Utah wildlife. The page, found at wildlife.utah.gov/chronic-wasting-disease.html, is very informative, and gives multiple links to maps, reports, and management plans for Utah. However, this page is hard to find from their home page, and I eventually had to request a link to the page from the Hunters Education program to access it. The CWD page is an excellent way to educate the public, but it is not useful if it is hidden somewhere. By starting at the source – the hunters education training course – young hunters are exposed to what CWD is early on as opposed to coming across a fairly obscure webpage later in their hunting careers, thus increasing public awareness.

What would be the future rewards of educating about CWD in Utah? At this time, Utah is not known for its high CWD rates; such a push for CWD education in Utah could be thought of as overdramatized because of this. Chronic Wasting Disease is not widespread in Utah, being only spotted in eight counties as of 2022 (Miller). Despite this low county statistic, documentation of continued transmission has been revealed. Salt Lake county claimed its first four CWD cases in June of 2022, announced by Jordan Miller of the Salt Lake County Tribune (Miller). The purposes of reporting CWD numbers are so that researchers can not only study individual areas where the disease is permeating, but also how it can be contained. Unfortunately, “there are no treatments or vaccines” for CWD (“Chronic Wasting Disease”). That is why such an emphasis on Chronic Wasting Disease research exists. As previously stated, CWD is severely contagious and its incubation period is abnormally long, making this disease already hard enough to research let alone isolate. By having hunter involvement in the research and development process, scientists have extra helping hands to additional exploration efforts. The development coordinator for the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, Cassidy Downing, makes the following case for why hunters are essential in CWD endeavors: “Data on Chronic Wasting Disease, in large portions, needs to come from hunters. Having larger data sets means biologists in charge of deer management can make better, more informed management decisions that impact all hunters” (Downing). In other words, hunters matter. As hunters become more and more familiar with CWD through their education, the more positively they can contribute to not just CWD observations in Utah, but also around the country.

A large part of the hunting community is hunting tourism: the act of traveling with the intent of hunting in a specific area, whether that area be intranational or international. Hunting tourism is a controversial topic that will not be discussed in the context of its pros and cons, but rather how it relates to CWD and traveling hunters. I come from a very big hunting family. My father, his father, my father’s friends, and my brothers have traveled around the world hunting for quite the assortment of wild game. They hunt for deer yearly, sometimes in more than just Utah. One year, my father was getting ready for a deer hunt in Colorado when he came across a map in his documents that highlighted key zones of the state of Colorado. This map showed certain places where CWD was in high prevalence there, and it warned that they might come across some animals that were CWD compromised. After a quick Google search, my father familiarized himself with CWD, and while he didn’t knowingly find any ill deer on his hunt, he was more cognizant of CWD, which might have future applications for other deer hunts he will venture to. This experience taught me that informing hunters on CWD is important, but what’s even more important is taking it a step further — what they can do as individuals to help a growing cause that one day could deeply and negatively impact their beloved sport. CWD is no respecter of state boundaries; a trained hunter (take, for instance, my dad) going from one state to another that encounters CWD can support that community by taking the cautionary steps to avoid CWD spreading in that area that they are guests in. Knowing what these advisory procedures are before hunting tags are even distributed could come in handy later on in cervid hunters’ careers.

Hunters involved in the hunters education program in Utah should not just be taught what CWD is, but also recommendations on what to do if CWD is suspected in their harvested animals. The DWR provides suggestions on their CWD webpage for what hunters should do such that CWD is inferred. Some generalized suggestions include: not harvesting animals that appear to be sick; no ingestion of animals that are either suspected or identified as having CWD; and thorough disinfection of any instruments used in field dressing processes (“Chronic Wasting Disease”). Hunters should also take care when field dressing – using latex gloves, avoiding contact with certain tissues, and washing hands with soap and water afterwards (“Chronic Wasting Disease”). Regardless of whether the animal is suspected or not to have CWD, the DWR is strongly urging hunters to get their freshly harvested animals tested for CWD before any meat is consumed or taxidermy has occurred. CWD testing in Utah is free, and there are numerous testing sites across the state of Utah that hunters can take their animal harvests to. If any animals are found that are exhibiting signs of CWD, they are encouraged to communicate with the DWR of the state they are hunting in. Instilling these guidelines into young hunters can give them opportunities to bring about good change both inside and outside of the Utah hunting community.

Community action is vital in combating Chronic Wasting Disease. Hunters on the frontlines of this mysterious illness can promote its prophylaxis by reporting cases and taking precautionary action so that the disease doesn’t spread outside of its established locale. Researchers carry the responsibility of monitoring CWD and developing studies so that, one day, treatments can be refined and implemented. The Hunters Education program in Utah has the obligation to present to soon-to-be hunters what their role is so that they are well-equipped on their hunting adventures. Without this critical instruction, the hunters’ capacity to perform their duty is weakened, regrettably due to ignorance. Without the help of the hunters, scientists are limited in their capability to conduct their studies, and the cervids silently waste away. Still so much has to be learned about prions; CWD prevention is a team effort, but it is only an effective team effort if those in power do their part. For when people in power don’t do their part, detrimental are the consequences, as seen in Grant and his family. If the Hunters Education department wishes to ensure its hunting tradition, education about CWD would be wise.

My intentions of this proposition are not to fearmonger, rather to demonstrate what such a small act of implementing one simple topic into an educational program could do for this vast world that we get to live in and enjoy, one protein at a time.