Chronic wasting disease (CWD) and the other TSE (transmissible spongiform encephalopathy) diseases in cervids belong to the same group of diseases of the brain as e.g. bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). These TSEs are caused by prion proteins.
CWD was discovered in the USA in the 1960s in mule deer and the affected area has since expanded in the USA and has now also spread into Canada. In North America, the disease is found both in cervids living in captivity and in wild cervids. The disease has also been found in South Korea, in cervids brought from North America to live in captivity.
In 2016, the first cases of CWD in Europe were discovered in Norway. Due to the finding in Norway, intensified monitoring for TSE in cervids was undertaken also in six EU countries including Finland.
In addition to the findings of CWD in wild reindeer in Norway, cervid TSE has been found in a few moose (Alces alces) in Norway, Sweden and Finland and in one red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Norway. Types of the prions causing TSE in cervids vary. While it is clear that the disease identified in wild reindeer in Norway is contagious, type of the prions found in moose and red deer seem sporadic. Prion research is still ongoing.
The disease is not known to be contagious to humans and it has therefore not been considered an actual risk to humans.
Occurrence in Finland
The occurrence of TSEs in wild cervids and reindeer has been monitored in Finland since 2003. As a consequence of the findings of CWD in Norway, an intensified monitoring programme for CWD was carried out also in Finland and five other EU countries in 2018-2020. Surveillance of diseased and self-dead over 1yr cervids continues.
The first case of TSE in cervids in Finland was found in February 2018. The disease was found in a moose (Alces alces) that had died naturally in Kuhmo. According to the typification carried out by the EU reference laboratory the disease is similar to the TSE found in the moose in Norway and Sweden. Two other TSE-cases have been found in mooses put down because of sickness in Laukaa 2020 and Kyyjärvi 2022. All three TSE positive moose in Finland have been old cows. TSEs found in Nordic mooses are presumed to be endogenous, non-infectious brain diseases.
