It's beginning to look a lot like a bio-warfare Xmas.
United States: Reindeer ban for Christmas. The fear of chronic wasting
disease, which is devastating deer herds in the western US, has forced a
ban on the crossborder movement of reindeer in more than half the country's
states - dashing plans for reindeer-themed children's Christmas displays.
The spread of CWD has panicked wildlife agencies across the country. There
is no cure for the disease, a brain disorder that attacks some species of
cervid (the deer family) - though it has not been found in reindeer.
Exactly how it spreads is unknown, and it is not believed to affect humans.
Class gains a state waiver for Santa's reindeer
Newark Star Ledger
All but Santa's reindeer face tough time traveling
Baltimore Sun
Reindeer can't join in games
Charlotte Observer
Deer and elk disease hits holiday reindeer business
Seattle Post Intelligencer
http://www.indexonline.org/indexindex/20021220_unitedstates.shtml
