I have read with keen interest the articles that have appeared in both the Ravalli Republic and the Missoulian and would like to inform the public on how they can educate themselves on this subject.
(BSE) Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy is an unusually slow virus-like agent that is a protein called a “prion” (pronounced pree-on). The Rocky Mountain laboratory had a part in its discovery in the 1950’s.
A non-fiction book was written by Richard Rhodes. The title of the
book is “Deadly Feasts.” I highly recommend it to everyone. A very easy read is a report in the form of a booklet put out by the “McAlvany Intelligence Advisor” published by Harvestime Books (931-692-2777).
You see, chronic wasting disease is not only in our wild game but in our fish it is called “whirling disease;” and in sheep the name is “scrapie.” The disease in cattle is called “mad cow disease;” and in people it is called (CJD Creutzfeldt-Jokob disease.)
Please educate yourselves.
Dallas Ann Olson
Victor
Doug Nation says
Ms. Olson, I think you are the one needing some education. Whirling disease is an infectious disease of finfish. It is caused by Myxobolus cerebralis, a protozoan in the Class Myxosporea. The condition is NOT caused by a prion infection. I do agree that everyone should learn the risks of prion disease and appreciate that arguably the world seat of understanding of this communicable disease is here in Ravalli County at Rocky Mountain Lab. Unfortunately, your example of Whirling disease as an example of a prion disease is flawed.