Plan for Assisting States, Federal Agencies,

and Tribes in Managing Chronic Wasting Disease

in Wild and Captive Cervids

June 26, 2002
Task Force Representation

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service

Forest Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Bureau of Land Management

National Park Service

Fish and Wildlife Service

Geological Survey

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Colorado Department of Agriculture

Colorado Division of Wildlife

Colorado State University

International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Missouri Department of Conservation

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Nebraska Department of Agriculture

South Dakota Animal Industry Board

Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study

University of Georgia

University of Wisconsin

University of Wyoming

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Wyoming State Livestock Board
Table of Contents

I. Introduction 1

II. Working Groups and Issues 2

III. Action Plans

A. Communications

1. Overview 3

2. Goals 3

3. Audiences 3

4. Actions 3

B. Scientific and Technical Information Dissemination

1. Overview 4

2. Goals 4

3. Actions 5

C. Diagnostics

1. Overview 5

2. Goals 6

3. Actions 7

D. Disease Management

1. Overview 7

2. Goals 7

3. Actions 7

E. Research

1. Overview 9

2. Goals 9

3. Actions 9

F. Surveillance

1. Overview 10

2. Goals 10

3. Actions 11

Appendix I State Regulations and Activities 12

Appendix II List of Working Group Members 19
I. INTRODUCTION

In the late 1960s, a clinical syndrome seen in captive mule deer came to be known as chronic wasting

disease (CWD). This syndrome was identified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE)

in 1978. In the early 1980 s, CWD was identified in free-ranging deer and elk in northeastern

Colorado and southeastern Wyoming. In May 2001, CWD was confirmed in a free-ranging mule deer

that had been harvested in November 2000 in the southwestern corner of Nebraska adjacent to

Colorado and Wyoming. In this so-called endemic area of some 20,000 square miles, infection rates

range from more than 10 percent of white-tailed and mule deer in the most infected areas to 1 percent

or less of all elk in the endemic area. CWD has also been diagnosed in farmed elk herds. The first

report of a farmed elk with CWD came from Saskatchewan in 1996, and in 1997 another case was

identified on a South Dakota elk farm. Since that time, additional positive farmed elk herds have been

found in South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Montana, Kansas, and Alberta (most of these

herds have been depopulated).

For decades, CWD was considered a western concern, because it had been found in captive or freeranging cervids (a member of the deer family) only in States west of the Mississippi River. However,

recent events including the recognition of the presence of CWD in free-ranging deer in Wisconsin and

New Mexico, and the transport of CWD-exposed captive elk to numerous States across the country

clearly show that CWD must be dealt with on a national basis. An effective national control program

for CWD in free-ranging and captive cervids is urgently needed to prevent its introduction into new

areas and to eliminate or control CWD where it already occurs. Several States have established CWD

control programs in free-ranging and captive cervids, and State agencies and universities have

developed much of the current information regarding the disease. However, lack of resources in some

States and inconsistencies among the approaches and standards for disease control underscore the need

for assistance in developing an effective national approach to CWD control. Federal assistance can

help resolve these problems.

The Federal government must cooperate with State wildlife management and animal health agencies,

Tribal governments, and non-governmental producers and wildlife organizations to develop

synergistic CWD research and control programs. There already is a history of State-Federal

cooperation in dealing with CWD in both captive and free-ranging cervids; this relationship must be

expanded to include additional Federal and State agencies that have existing authority, responsibility,

and capability to control CWD. A number of Federal agencies within the U.S. Department of the

Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have responsibilities for issues

presented by CWD.

State, Federal, and Tribal agencies have statutory authority to respond to CWD in infected

farmed/captive cervids and wildlife. In exercising the regulatory authority found in the Code of

Federal Regulations and the United States Code, Federal agencies must comply with the National

Environmental Policy Act. When Federal agencies need to respond quickly with emergency

management actions, they have options of using categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, or

alternative arrangements with the Council of Environmental Quality. If the proposed emergency

actions are expected to have significant impacts on the environment, then an environmental impact

assessment would also be conducted as a follow-up action.

The primary Federal role will be to provide coordination and assistance with research, surveillance,

disease management, diagnostic testing, technology, communications, information dissemination,

education, and funding for State CWD programs. Federal agencies will provide tools and financial

assistance to States and help develop consensus-based approaches to CWD control. In May 2002, an
effort to address CWD issues was initiated among USDA, DOI, and State wildlife management and

agriculture agencies. A CWD Task Force was formed to ensure that Federal and State agencies

cooperate in the development and implementation of an effective national CWD program. This report

presents the plans of the Task Force to coordinate Federal and State efforts and identify necessary

actions in support of State, Federal, and Tribal CWD control efforts. A subsequent plan will be

developed to implement the recommendations of this report.

II. WORKING GROUPS AND ISSUES:

Communications Working Group: The goal of this working group is to create an effective

mechanism for making scientific information accessible to all parties dealing with the CWD issue.

USDA, DOI, and other Federal and State agencies have been engaged in ongoing communications

efforts as part of their CWD activities. The communications plan is not meant to reflect all the

activities of all the entities involved in this issue, but to outline a national program of outreach on this

disease and its management to significant target audiences.

Scientific and Technical Information Dissemination Working Group: The goal of this working

group is to provide a mechanism for making CWD information accessible to all State and Federal

agencies and others involved in the CWD problem. The plan calls for the creation of uniform

standards for CWD data collection and transfer, making available hardware, software, and data

management support to States, and providing for information sharing among all State and Federal

groups dealing with CWD. The primary goals of this working group are to define strategies for

dealing with CWD by: 1) providing access to common scientific and technical information in a

partner-based data system; 2) integrating CWD data from State and Federal agencies, and others into

the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) Wildlife Disease Information Node

(WDIN); 3) working with States to create data standards that will allow interoperability with existing

CWD data sets; and 4) providing wildlife managers and veterinarians with near real-time access to

CWD data and other critical information.

Diagnostics Working Group: The goals of this working group are to: 1) develop better tests for

CWD, both postmortem and live-animal, understanding that the tests must be accurate, reasonably

fast, and inexpensive; 2) produce a survey of available laboratory capacity for processing CWD

samples and a projection of necessary capacity to support effective CWD programs; 3) establish a

consensus standard on how to accredit laboratories to conduct CWD testing; and 4) describe the time

requirements for obtaining results from the various tests so that CWD programs can incorporate

accurate assumptions about the turnaround time needed.

Disease Management Working Group: The goals for this working group are to identify best

practices for herd management techniques that can help prevent the introduction of CWD into a herd,

and prevent CWD spread from an infected herd. The group also addressed how to prevent contact

between free-ranging and captive animals, safe carcass disposal, herd population data management,

animal identification, effectiveness of indemnity, culling versus eradication, and other issues.

Research Working Group: The goals of this working group are to identify and prioritize critical

research needs in areas such as live-animal tests, genotyping, transmissibility, and bioassays. It also

worked to identify methods to detect the presence and persistence of the agent in the environment and

to develop methods for decontamination. The group also addressed epidemiology, disease

management, and human dimensions of CWD.
Surveillance Working Group: The goal of this working group is to develop consensus standards for

adequate surveillance in both captive and free-ranging herds, and describe best practices and

techniques for targeted, hunter harvest, and outbreak surveillance.

III. ACTION PLANS:

A. Communications

1. Overview

This communications plan outlines a national program of public information outreach on CWD and its

management to significant target audiences that reflects the breadth and depth of the entities dealing

with this disease. The plan compliments ongoing Federal, State, Tribal, and local communications

efforts as a part of their CWD activities. A key element of the plan will be developing and sharing

information. The actions in this plan should be coordinated by a public affairs specialist working with

all agencies and people involved in CWD research and management. Some projects may be best

undertaken by individual entities and those decisions would be made by the main communications

committee as needed, in cooperation with the States.

2. Goals

• Goal 1: Increase awareness of Federal and State CWD efforts.

• Goal 2: Educate target audiences about CWD.

• Goal 3: Provide accepted and updated scientific information.

• Goal 4: Provide updates on advances in CWD management and control.

• Goal 5: Provide scientific and technical training information to State, Federal, and Tribal

employees on CWD management and surveillance methods.

3. Audiences

The target audiences for these activities include the following, in impacted or potentially impacted

jurisdictions, and eventually in all States with active surveillance:

• Media;

• State and Federal cooperators such as wildlife, conservation, land management, agriculture,

forestry, and natural resource agencies;

• Consumptive and non-consumptive users of wildlife and associated businesses;

• Captive cervid industry; scientific community, general public; and

• State and local officials, policy makers, Tribes, and communities.

The principle message of this communications campaign is that all concerned entities are working

together to coordinate efforts to control and manage CWD in free-ranging and captive populations of

cervids and where possible to eradicate the disease or prevent its spread.

4. Actions

Communications activities by many agencies have been ongoing; the list below is exemplary of work

that has already been done. Activities are divided into three main categories: production of

information materials, identification of events, and distribution of information.
• Action Item 1 — Production of Materials: Fact sheets on general CWD disease information,

CWD funding, and Federal, State, and Tribal actions to address CWD will be updated and

expanded to include information from all reliable sources. Other relevant fact sheet topics will

be developed (including fact sheets on individual State programs and responses for CWD) as

needed.

• Action Item 2 — Events and Distribution of Information: Working in concert with States, radio

and public service announcements will be distributed to all affected States and Tribes with

copies to all cooperators. Also provided are program management and training videos, and

disease identification field guides. Information packets will be prepared and mailed to all

agriculture extension agents and State Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources

agencies.

B. Scientific and Technical Information Dissemination

1. Overview

Management and dissemination of scientific and technical information is critical to States, Federal

agencies, Tribes, and other groups involved in CWD issues. Although these entities will collect

important data for their own use, there will be significant opportunities for resource sharing as well as

assistance for data management and transfer, allowing analyses to be conducted on a nationwide basis.

This Information Plan provides for the creation of uniform standards for data collection and transfer

that will facilitate these activities. The availability of one system rather than multiple systems that

may not be compatible with each other will allow economies of scale for the proposed activities to be

undertaken at a national level. States that have not yet incurred expenses in developing a local system

will be provided with internet-based applications, and States with pre-existing systems will also

receive assistance. Further, data and information from all parties will be handled to assure appropriate

intellectual property rights and confidentiality.

The U.S. Geological Survey s NBII will be used to accomplish the efforts outlined in this plan. The

NBII is an electronic information network that provides timely and effective access to biological data

and information on the nation s plants, animals, and ecosystems through Nodes, which can be used

for scientific activities, education, and informed decision-making. Since NBII technical and

informational infrastructures are already in place, the new NBII Wildlife Disease Information Node

(WDIN) can serve as an effective mechanism for providing access to Internet-based CWD

information. Although the WDIN was initially established as a prototype to focus on CWD data from

Wisconsin collaborators and the National Wildlife Health Center located in Wisconsin, this Node will

be expanded to meet the needs of this plan. Most data will be provided by the States; this Node will

explicitly support State managers in addressing CWD data needs. The Node will also provide links to

other available CWD databases and allow one stop shopping for technical information, including

geospatial information, research, monitoring, and surveillance results. This will allow State and

Federal agencies, Tribes, and the public to obtain near real-time data on CWD. The target audience

and message are identical to those of the Communications Plan.

2. Goals

To define strategies for dealing with CWD by:

• Goal 1: Providing access to common scientific and technical information in a partner-based

data system;

• Goal 2: Integrating CWD data from State and Federal agencies, Tribal and land managers, and

other sources into the WDIN;
• Goal 3: Working with States to create data standards that will allow interoperability with

existing CWD data sets and provide confidentiality of data to data providers as needed;

• Goal 4: Providing wildlife managers and veterinarians with near real-time access to CWD data

and other critical information, including available test results, Geographic Information System

(GIS) analyses of CWD patterns, and predicting areas of potential risk;

• Goal 5: Providing a database system that can be used by all agencies for their own local use,

but also as a central repository for nationwide analyses.

3. Actions

A repository for data will be collected through State and Federal agency CWD research, monitoring,

and surveillance programs so that analyses can be conducted on a nationwide basis. Users will benefit

from an integrated information system on all aspects of CWD and other relevant TSE information for

CWD, including biology, diagnosis, and control issues. In all activities, priority will be given to the

transfer of information resources and funding to create an integrated CWD data system.

Action Item 1 - Data Storage

• Establish a robust database that can accommodate testing results as well as research,

monitoring, and surveillance data from State and Federal agencies;

• Develop a data import system to allow State and Federal agencies to enter their current and

archival data;

• Develop data collection and management standards in cooperation with State and Federal

agencies;

• Develop a certification and quality control system;

• Provide to States a system for tracking CWD samples from collection through laboratory

testing.

Action Item 2 - Integrated Information System

• Conduct a thorough literature review focusing on CWD;

• Assemble information on biology and management of wildlife species at risk for developing

CWD;

• Collect and assemble State, USDA, and other wild and captive herd data and make it Web

accessible;

• Create a Web based system that will integrate information collected above;

• Catalog and provide Internet links to other Federal, State, and non-government organization

CWD information resources, including scientific libraries.

Action Item 3 - Long-term Activities

• Maintain databases and services described above;

• Integrate all available State and other data into the NBII WDIN.

C. Diagnostics

1. Overview

CWD assays currently in use and development are, and will be, validated only for epidemiological or

disease control purposes. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) will be the source of validated results in the

short-term and will be the gold-standard test long-term. High-throughput assays may be available for

use in laboratories (not animal-side) in the fall 2002 hunting/control season on an experimental basis,

but will not be validated prior to the season. The assays may be validated for use by early 2003,
allowing retrospective use of their results. Laboratory capacity should be sufficient using approved

State/university laboratories as part of a network. However, as the volume and rate of sample

submission is uncertain, reporting results may be delayed. Laboratories should be approved first to

use the standardized IHC, which will allow them to assist in validating, and then use high-throughput

assays. Samples collected may exceed diagnostic needs until research will assist in the selection of

tissues for optimum testing; in turn, the samples may be applied to further research and management

strategies. Funding for testing populations, new assay validation, and laboratory space/equipment is

needed.

2. Goals

• Goal 1: To provide reliable information on the disease and infection status in free-ranging and

captive cervids for herd certification programs, epidemiological investigations, and control and

management activities. This requires laboratory capacity sufficient to run a meaningful

number of validated, standardized assays relative to the sampled population, in a useful

timeframe.

3. Actions

• Action Item 1 — Establish sufficient testing capacity: Official testing needed in the next 12

months and beyond can be accomplished by establishing and supporting (including by direct

funding of laboratory testing and equipment) a network of the approximately 15 wellestablished State/university veterinary diagnostic laboratories already selected or currently

being selected for standardized IHC testing. Fifteen laboratories is a goal for January 2003;

additional laboratories will be added during 2003. Sample prioritization will be critical and

should be agreed upon in principle prior to fall 2002. This could be implemented by the

National Veterinary Services Laboratories either as the testing contract holder or laboratory

network coordinator in collaboration with submitting State authorities and testing laboratories. 

• Action Item 2 — Continue Using IHC: Approximately 100 assays/day/machine can be run

using IHC. The use of 15 laboratories with two machines each would allow 750,000 samples

per year to be tested, or the estimated 177,000 surveillance samples to be tested in three

months for rapid management action.

• Action Item 3 — Assure Sample Quality: Captive cervid owners and the general hunting public

should not collect samples for official tests. Sample collector training should be

professionally conducted. Laboratory technicians must be vigilant in identifying and rejecting

inappropriate samples. Laboratories not performing IHC may contribute to the testing strategy

through quality sample preparation. If a laboratory s testing protocol uses high throughput

assays only for some samples, any questionable sample should be subjected to IHC.

• Action Item 4 — Assist in Validation and Apply High Throughput Screening Tests: A variety

of high throughput assays are currently being developed or validated with the intent of

commercializing them. The evaluation of high-throughput TSE tests already used for bovine

spongiform encephalopathy in European cattle should be completed rapidly. A tissue

repository should be established from diagnostic samples to evaluate proposed tests. Some

IHC laboratories will run pre-license high-throughput assays in parallel, providing validation

data, and may use the new assays as their primary screening assay post-license. Fifteen

laboratories running high throughput assays could perform 7.5 million tests each year.

• Action Item 5 — Assist in Addressing Other Areas of Testing: Development and validation of a

live-animal CWD test may result from current and new research or from testing the likely

target tissue from this season s carcasses collected as diagnostic samples. New assays may be

applied to research and management questions related to other animal samples.
D. Disease Management

1. Overview

The goals of CWD management are to prevent the introduction of CWD into new areas and to

eliminate CWD where it presently occurs. Elimination is most feasible in captive populations. A

proposed USDA program has been designed with the States to accomplish that goal. In the wild,

elimination is most feasible with early detection of new disease foci. With new foci, there may be

time to stop disease transmission, reduce movement of infected animals, and minimize environmental

contamination. If elimination is not possible, the goal is to control and limit the spread of the disease.

Control and limitation of the disease s spread is most appropriate in endemic areas where the disease

has maintained itself for years. Currently, the States, DOI, and USDA are actively pursing this goal.

A key element in the management of this disease is the development of coordinated, science-based

CWD plans tailored individually to meet the needs of State, Tribal, and Federal agencies. Ideally,

such plans would include both farmed and free-ranging populations, include all stakeholders, and

cover multiple jurisdictions (especially when jurisdictions share an affected population). Plans could

follow a standard outline of basic components including: objectives, management tools, management

of contaminated environments, monitoring of results, restoration plans, and budget. Plans would form

the basis for funding, for public responsibility and accountability, and for measuring results. Because

such coordinated plans may be difficult to prepare in a short timeframe, a process for immediate

funding for initial response for newly identified outbreaks should also be available. It is anticipated

that there will be approximately five new outbreaks each year for the next three years.

CWD management plans will vary depending upon such factors as length of time the disease has been

present, affected species, population density, location, resources, and human dynamics. States and

other entities may use different strategies for different combinations of these factors. The key

challenge is to learn as quickly as possible how effective control or elimination strategies may be. As

research knowledge provides new diagnostic and management tools, the challenge will be to

continually improve CWD management strategies.

2. Goals

• Goal 1 — Prevention: To maintain a population or an area free from CWD.

• Goal 2 — Elimination: To remove CWD and prevent its reintroduction.

• Goal 3 — Maintenance: To keep CWD below a certain level of prevalence.

• Goal 4 — Containment: To keep CWD from spreading outside of an area.

3. Actions

Actions taken will vary with the individual situation and are presented here as potential components of

a process rather in priority order.

• Action Item 1 — Disease Prevention: Entities without CWD should plan to prevent its

introduction through movement restrictions, restrictions on baiting and feeding, risk

assessments, population management, and information dissemination. Surveillance to allow

early detection of the disease is essential in preventing inadvertent human-assisted or natural

movement of affected animals.
• Action Item 2 — Management Techniques to Eliminate, Contain, or Control CWD: Where

CWD has been identified, the following tools can be considered for use together or singly for

use in a management response:

Outbreak Surveillance: Surveillance establishes the prevalence, incidence, and

distribution of the disease, and allows the evaluation of management actions.

Population Reduction: Depopulation can be used for farmed cervids, or for free-ranging

cervids in limited geographical areas. Reduction in population density can be used where

CWD is already present or as a preventative measure. Targeted removal can reduce a

specific subset of an affected population (such as yearling males that are naturally

dispersing from a CWD area).

Testing and Removal: Testing and removal can be used to remove CWD affected animals

from a population. This approach may be appropriate only in limited situations.

Therapeutics and Vaccines: These tools are not currently available. Much more research

is required to develop these tools for use.

Human Behavior: Restrictions on feeding or baiting of free-ranging cervids where

appropriate, and regulations for the farmed cervid industry are all examples of management

tools that may be used to control CWD.

Habitat Modification: The manipulation of environmental factors could limit animal use

of areas and potential exposure. Such tools may be useful in dealing with environmental

contamination.

Movement Restrictions: Agricultural and wildlife agencies should provide scientifically

based recommendations for limiting animal movements to prevent the spread of CWD.

Restrictions are already in place in some States (see Appendix I).

• Action Item 3 — Management of Farmed Deer and Elk: A proposed USDA program will

restrict interstate movement in order to set basic minimum standards for State regulatory

programs. The regulatory program provides certification status for producers who maintain

herds for a minimum of five years with no evidence of the disease. Herd management plans

are required for CWD positive and exposed herds. These plans include provisions for

depopulation or quarantine, disposition of carcasses, decontamination, and future use of the

premises. If animals are depopulated, the program provides indemnity.

• Action Item 4 — Carcass Disposal: Without an effective, rapid postmortem test, carcass

disposal will remain a major element in increased surveillance or population reduction efforts.

Rapid and accurate testing will permit presorting of carcasses for their most effective

disposition. Federal funds may be used to purchase or lease capital-intensive equipment for

disposal to be made available to States and other entities as needed.

• Action Item 5 — Monitoring, Measurement and Adaptive Management: Goals and

measurement procedures should be developed in conjunction with coordinated management

plans. Management actions should be monitored for results as well as for intended and

unintended environmental impacts. Adaptive management approaches may prove to be

effective in these activities.

• Action Item 6 — Environmental Decontamination: A major concern with CWD is the potential

for indirect transmission through contamination of the environment through excretions,

secretions, or the decomposition of infected animal carcasses. Management plans need to

provide for decontamination as research provides tools and approaches.

• Action Item 7 — Restoration: A final phase of CWD management involves restoration of

species and environment. Restoration is a critical part of gaining public approval for actions

taken in controlling and/or eliminating the disease.

E. Research
1. Overview

Although State, Federal and university researchers have worked collaboratively to increase

understanding of CWD since its discovery, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding the

fundamental characteristics of this disease. These gaps impede the development of plans to control the

disease, as effective management requires an understanding of the disease, its host, and human

response to both. More research on the fundamental aspects of diagnostic methods, pathology,

epidemiology of the disease, cervid ecology, and human dimensions is still needed. This research will

be conducted through partnerships among universities, State, and Federal agencies that have

demonstrated capacity to work on CWD. Key to controlling this disease will be the combination of

research findings with an adaptive management approach that integrates monitoring of the disease and

host, ecological modeling, and effective management actions.

2. Goals

• Goal 1 — Rapid Diagnostics: There is an urgent need for research to establish rapid diagnostic

techniques in live animals, carcasses, and environmental samples.

• Goal 2 — Biology and Pathogenesis: Little is known about the biology and pathogensis of

CWD, including how the disease agent enters the animal, how it multiplies in the body, how it

causes disease, and how it is transmitted.

• Goal 3 — Management and Ecology of the Disease and the Host: There is a need to understand

the interactions between host species ecology and CWD dynamics, and the implication of these

interactions for disease management.

• Goal 4 — Human Dimensions: A better understanding of the attitudes of impacted publics is

needed to develop effective communication/education strategies and disease management

programs.

3. Actions

• Action Item 1: Evaluate existing diagnostic tests for accuracy and utility; improve accuracy,

speed, and capacity of diagnostic tests, and establish a standardized yet flexible national

sampling protocol for testing; develop tests that provide early detection of disease; develop a

live animal test that is cost effective and can be applied in the field; and assess the feasibility of

tests for environmental contamination.

• Action Item 2: Conduct research into the biology and pathology of CWD. Prioritized needs

include: 1) describing the pathogenesis of CWD; 2) determining if different strains of CWD

infect different cervids; 3) determining which species are susceptible to CWD, including cattle;

4) determining the routes of exposure, the rate of transmission, and the amount of agent needed

to cause infection; 5) investigating the contribution of genetics to CWD susceptibility among

cervid populations; and 6) developing prophylactic or treatment measures for both captive and

free-ranging susceptible cervids.

• Action item 3: Conduct research into disease management and host ecology. Prioritized needs

include: 1) developing and enhancing models of CWD dynamics; 2) evaluating host population

dynamics and dispersal and social behavior in relation to transmission; 3) developing a GIS

that can elucidate patterns of disease—host population characteristics; 4) evaluating the

effectiveness of CWD control or eradication strategies; 5) studying the ecological effects of

reducing deer and elk populations in CWD affected areas; 6) determining persistence of the

CWD agent in the environment; 7) developing methods to inactivate the CWD-agent in the

laboratory and in the field; 8) correlating disease prevalence to cervid density; and 9)

conducting research on methods of carcass disposal.
• Action Item 4: Conduct research into the human dimensions of CWD. Prioritized research

needs include: 1) determining the attitudes, perceptions of risk, and information needs of

affected human communities; 2) determining landowner and hunter willingness to participate

in disease management programs; 3) determining the impact of CWD and CWD management

on the economy and the social fabric of human communities; and 4) assessing communication

and education strategies.

F. Surveillance

1. Overview

To find and monitor CWD in free-ranging populations, three types of surveillance are undertaken.

Targeted surveillance is the collection of any cervid that exhibits clinical signs of CWD. This may be

an important method on certain lands where harvest cannot easily be conducted. Hunter harvest

surveillance is the collection of the heads of hunter-harvested cervids to test for CWD. Outbreak

surveillance is the collection of specified numbers of animals to determine the rate of infection and the

extent of the infected area identified through either targeted or hunter harvest surveillance.

The national surveillance plan for farmed cervid herds includes mandatory death reporting and CWD

testing of all animals, except calves, that are slaughtered or die on the premises. The proposed farmed

cervid surveillance program and the proposed surveillance program for wildlife are interdependent.

Particular combinations of services will depend upon circumstances in each State. This plan will

adjust services to support the particular needs and circumstances of CWD in each State or area.

Under the proposed program budget, USDA s goal is to begin its CWD eradication program from

farmed elk and deer herds in the United States in fiscal year 2003. The proposed CWD program

involves cooperative State programs with the major components for farmed elk and deer being: 1)

surveillance, including diagnostic services; 2) indemnity for depopulated herds or animals; 3)

certification for herds in which CWD has not been found; and 4) epidemiology and related services.

As part of its surveillance program, the National Park Service (NPS) will continue its targeted

surveillance and removal of cervids exhibiting clinical signs of CWD. NPS also will continue using

live animal testing for deer in parks located in close proximity to confirmed CWD cases. DOI will

cooperate with the States in hunter surveillance programs.

2. Goals

• Goal 1 — Sampling Plans: Develop sampling design that specifies numbers of animals to be

sampled by area and year, and assist agencies with surveillance strategies.

• Goal 2 — Early Detection: For cervid populations and herds in which no infection has been

detected, the primary surveillance objective is early detection of new CWD foci.

• Goal 3 — Determination of Prevalence Rates: For cervid populations in which infection has

been detected, estimate CWD prevalence over time and space.

• Goal 4 — Epidemiological Investigations: Conduct surveillance to support research

investigations and trace-back (tracing movement into the herd) or trace-forward (tracing

movement out of the herd) efforts for the purpose of identifying transmission mechanisms.

3. Actions:

• Action Item 1 — Sample Collection for Disease Monitoring: Effective surveillance strategies

that identify risk factors, enhance early detection, and support management programs will be
developed. DOI and USDA will cooperate with the States in surveillance strategies. For areas

with known CWD infections, estimates of disease prevalence can be used to judge the

effectiveness of management actions and to evaluate disease dynamics in the context of

ecological research questions. Surveillance activities are also needed to satisfy public and

management information needs. The number of samples needed for such monitoring is

estimated at 150,000 per year.

• Action Item 2: — Epidemiology: Actions involving epidemiological investigations will include

identification of high risk and exposed animals, recording and mapping of premise locations,

and development of herd plans for source or trace herds. Epidemiological investigations of

free-ranging cervids that may pose a risk to farmed animals or may have been infected by

exposure to infected farmed elk will also be developed by States in their management/action

plans.
12

Regulations and Activities

artment of Agriculture (DOA), or equivalent, has jurisdiction over captive cervids. The Department of Fish and Game,

 in seven States. Captive cervid farms are jointly managed by both agencies in 26 States. Regulations in addition to the

ace in 49 States. These range from additional testing requirements to banning all cervid importations. Standard

cation of Veterinarian Inspection (CVI) (health certificate); 2) import permit; and 3) negative brucellosis and

 30-60 days of import). Twenty-nine States prohibit the importation of cervids from any county, region and/or State

ve regulations that can prohibit importation from endemic areas; require that the State exporting the cervid be enrolled in

and certification program; and/or require only that there has been no diagnosis of CWD in the originating herd or

tates have banned all cervid imports. Twenty-eight States are currently in the process of developing new and/or

Twenty-three States perform captive cervid testing for CWD; 12 additional States are in the process of developing

tes perform CWD testing on free-ranging cervids; six additional States are in the process of developing surveillance.

onservation and Natural Resources has jurisdiction. No cervid imports are allowed (imports have not been allowed for more than 30

e performs testing on cervid deaths. In 2001, the State implemented hunter-harvested surveillance, and tested a random sample of

er. The State plans to increase surveillance for the 2002 hunting season.

culture is responsible for game farm permits and inspecting fencing. Division of Environmental Health is responsible for animal health

May 23, 2002, the State issued a moratorium on cervid importation for six months. Previous regulations required elk to have a special permit.

 cervids legally allowed are elk and reindeer. The State is drafting new regulations which will require captive cervids to be enrolled in a

g program for a minimum of three years before importation. Recommendations have been made to test captive cervids.

Department has jurisdiction. On May 18, 2002, the State issued an emergency statewide ban on the importation of all captive cervids. No

estricted live wildlife under R12-4-406 shall be imported into Arizona. The emergency importation ban applies to cervids of the genus Alces,

moose; cervids of the genus Odocoileus, common name: white-tailed and mule deer; and cervids of the genus Cervus, common name: red deer

 except that the species Cervus nippon, Nippon deer, is not restricted. Previous regulations required that imported cervids have individual ear

n numbers. Emergency and Regular rulemaking are currently underway to permanently ban cervid importation (Note: also being explored is a

id possession by private game farms along with additions to the restricted live wildlife list to ban additional species of cervids). The

tive date for emergency rulemaking is June 30, 2002; the anticipated effective date for the regular rulemaking is December 2002. Under the

ency and regular rulemaking, the holder of a private game farm or zoo license will be required to submit the heads of all cervids that die on the

ty or in the licensee s control for CWD testing (Note: heads must be submitted within 72 hours of the time of death to the University of

ary Diagnostic Laboratory for analysis for CWD). The State has a CWD testing program for wildlife.

egulates imports relating to wildlife, Livestock and Poultry Commission regulates imports relating to livestock. The State is working on

f Agreement between the two agencies to delegate final permitting authority to Fish and Game. On May 16, 2002, the State enacted an

torium on the importation of cervids until further notice. The State is in the process of establishing a task force to identify protocols for CWD

esting. A CWD testing program for wildlife will be implemented in the fall of 2002. Protocols have yet to be determined.

ish and Game (DFG) has authority over all captive cervids and issues the permits required for possession. Department of Food and

A) becomes the lead over captive cervids only if a disease outbreak occurs which could impact livestock (TB and brucellosis). Fallow deer are

a fallow deer farming permit and various exotic cervids are allowed under an exhibitors permit issue by DFG; no elk are permitted for

elk farms are prohibited; importers must have a completed Cervidae Importation Application approved by Wildlife Investigations Laboratory.

llowed for import that originate from CWD positive States, or have a history of contact with captive elk, or any other potential risk. No new

regard to CWD are being discussed. CWD is listed by DFA as a reportable disease. The State is in the process of developing a slaughter
13

gram for farmed fallow deer. The State developed surveillance in 1999 for hunter killed, road kill and dead, and free-ranging mule deer; 432

llected. The State plans to sample at least 300 each year. Michigan cervids require specific pre-entry requirements

dlife (DOW) regulates wildlife imports and has authority over commercially raised mule deer and other commercially raised wildlife species.

 agency. DOA has authority over disease management and importation of alternative livestock (fallow deer and elk). Authority over

ernative livestock is shared. All cervids must be free of infectious and contagious disease; must be treated for internal/external parasites within

entry, must be marked with USDA official ear tag, and originate from a bovine TB-free accredited herd. All elk must test negative for

deer hybridization. Enrollment in 60-month surveillance program is required for importation and intrastate movement of captive cervids. The

ment of captive cervids out of endemic areas or off of quarantine facilities located outside of endemic areas. Captive cervid permit holders are

 CWD specimen collection; mandatory surveillance is done on any elk death whether natural death, slaughter, or hunt park kill. CWD must

in 24 hours of diagnosis to DOW Veterinarian. Heads of deer and elk are collected from hunters in certain Game Management Units; more

been tested statewide and more than 10,000 have been tested from endemic areas. The State has culled and tested more than 200 wild deer.

nvironmental Protection and DOA have jurisdiction. No cervid imports are allowed. (Previously, no deer or elk were allowed; other cervids

ve anaplasmosis/ blue tongue test). The State is working on more precise regulations.

ction. Delaware only has two captive cervid facilities, one red deer, and one sika deer farm. No cervids may be imported from any State in

 been diagnosed. The State is in the early stages of discussing new regulations regarding CWD and testing programs for captive cervids and

e Conservation Commission regulates possession of captive cervids DOA oversees importation and health requirements. No cervids may be

tates diagnosed with CWD (this prohibition will expire at end of June, 2002).

ity over deer farms; Department of Natural Resources (DNR) approves deer farm facilities and oversees wildlife exhibitors and wild animal

No white-tailed deer imports are allowed. State DOA, DNR and Southeast Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study met on May 29, 2002 and

ers need to be closed to cervid importation. DOA will pass legislation prohibiting the importation of farmed deer; DNR will recommend

mportation of cervids for wild animal businesses. The State has a CWD testing program for wildlife.

ity over import, possession, and transfer of all cervids. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife

session of introduced Axis and Black-tailed deer on State lands. A special permit is required for elk and bison and axis deer for commercial

d deer and mule deer are permitted for research and exhibition by special permit. White-tailed deer are not allowed. The State has no specific

s. Entry permits are issued on case by case basis. The State most likely will not issue entry permits for elk or deer unless they originated from

een CWD monitored for at least five years. Forestry and Wildlife will request that the State DOA revise permit conditions to require CWD

mport and to ban import from infected areas. The State has no testing program for captive cervids but has requested a review of sources of

s to determine if they originated from CWD source areas. The State has no CWD testing program for wildlife.

dustries has jurisdiction over domestic cervidae, which includes elk, fallow deer, and reindeer. Idaho Department of Fish and Game has

 importation and possession of all other species of wildlife. The State requires a negative TB test within 30 days prior to importation; herds

ertified for three years in State of origin; elk must test negative for red deer genetic factor; cervids must originate from region not known to be

relaphostrongylus tenuis (meningeal worm); the State will not import east of 100 meridian; a valid health certificate from State of origin and

ntification number are also required. No domestic cervids are allowed from areas where CWD is endemic. No wild cervids are allowed

formation from originating State herds. DOA is currently reviewing their Domestic Cervidae rules. The Department of Fish and Game has no

or review their CWD monitoring. CWD monitoring has been done on all domestic elk herds through DOA. Agriculture has a CWD

gram. More than 300 samples have been taken from Hunter Kills and Road Kills since 1997.

and administers import applications and oversees a captive cervid CWD monitoring program. DNR administers the Captive Game Breeder

m. Both have authority over importation and possession. The following regulations were superceded by adoption of the emergency rule, but

ck in place upon enactment of a permanent rule following the emergency period: Individual identification number; if originating in a State

omatitis, CVI must state that the disease has not been diagnosed on premises of origin within past 30 days and no signs of disease are evident

y not originate from herd under quarantine for any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease. On April 19, 2002, the State implemented
14

le (in effect for 150-day period) that prohibits importation of all captive cervids; requires that all cervids changing ownership or moving

t obtain permit from DOA prior to movement; and originate from a herd that is enrolled in a State CWD monitoring program. Any cervid

nknown cause that has exhibited neurological disorder must be tested for CWD; any cervid exhibiting symptoms of CWD will be destroyed

arantined until it can be determined that the animal does not have CWD. Two ’voluntary’ CWD herd-monitoring programs have been

tified Monitored vs. Contained Monitored ); intrastate movement or sales of cervids will be contingent upon participation in one of the

tate has conducted Targeted Surveillance of suspect animals since 1998, with no positive results; a systematic sample (n=260) of hunter

om throughout the State was tested during the 2001 season. Additional samples will be taken from northern Illinois (near Wisconsin border)

nting season, with continued sampling from check stations during the firearm season. Under currently existing emergency regulations,

ot allowed from any location. Upon adoption of a permanent rule in fall 2002, it is anticipated that importation will be prohibited from a

area, defined as any county or contiguous county where CWD has been diagnosed in the past five years.

Natural Resources and DOA - State Board of Animal Health have jurisdiction. An Emergency Rule by the Indiana State Board of Animal

ted on April 16, 2002 which banned all cervid imports into Indiana. In June, the Board will vote on a permanent version of emergency rule

nd all cervid imports until May 2003. (Regulations prior to emergency rule: Entry permits issued on case by case basis for deer and elk after

edical history and herd’s CWD monitoring program; permanent identification number). Upon death of any animal, the State veterinarian shall

may inspect the carcass and take any tissues or other necessary testing materials. The State plans to launch CWD surveillance program in 2002.

ptive white-tailed deer, DOA controls elk and other cervids (fallow, sitka, red deer, etc.). A permanent identification number is required. An

 modifying Importation Requirements of Cervidae on December 12, 2001: No cervid originating from or having been located in area endemic

wed, no cervid from herd having animal introductions from area considered endemic to CWD during last five years, all require entry permit.

o diagnosis, signs, or epidemiological evidence of CWD in originating herd for the year previous to import. All cervids in originating herd

here for at least one year or have been natural additions, herd must have no evidence or diagnosis of CWD or cervid must originate from

tored CWD herd. The State has proposed a four-month moratorium on deer imports unless from herd certified free of CWD. The State is in

menting a mandatory monitoring program for captive white-tailed deer; voluntary surveillance for elk and other cervids under the DOA. The

mpiling a GIS database with captive cervid facilities, and will determine if any cervids on farm were exposed to CWD before importation, may

om around these facilities. The State is collecting samples from road killed deer, and plans to test 1,000 deer from 2002 hunting season.

native to or originating from any county or region under quarantine for bovine TB is not eligible for import.

the cervidae family are prohibited entry into Kansas, unless said members are part of a State sponsored certification program that monitors for

 a test of all slaughtered animals of animals that have died because of any other means over 16 months of age. Any import must originate from

een monitored for CWD for a minimum of four years and has been assigned to the entry level or higher of the State of origin s CWD

gram. No member of the cervidae family will be allowed entry into Kansas if said animal has originated from a herd that has been declared

WD within the previous five years. The State has a CWD testing program for wildlife.

isheries and Wildlife regulated importation and holding of cervids. The DOA is in charge of the health aspect of importing captive cervids and

ment. Cervids cannot originate from a State with vesicular stomatitis. The moratorium on captive cervid importations that was in place from

June 2002 has been lifted. On June 1, 2002, the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and DOA filed emergency regulations with the

ements: Imported animals must come from facilities that have adopted the Model Protocol for CWD Surveillance and be at a three-year

, or from a facility that has had no importation for three years. There can be no importation from facilities located in States that have had a

CWD in the wild. There can be no importation from facilities located in States that have had a captive case of CWD in the previous five years.

 to necropsy any elk that dies in Kentucky.

Agriculture and Forestry has jurisdiction. On May 6, 2002, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission issued a Declaration of Emergency which

rtation of deer and elk into the State; it also restricted movements within the State. The State developed regulations requiring any permitted

bmit samples from any animal that dies for any reason. The State developed surveillance for hunter killed deer for the 2002 hunting season.

ervids used for meat production; Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife regulates all other imports. On June 12, 2002, the State issued a

rgo on the importation of deer and elk. The State is in the process of developing long-term regulations, contingency plan, and wildlife
15

e State has a surveillance program for captive cervids.

have jurisdiction. No imports are allowed (with exceptions). The State prohibits cervid farming for meat or hide, and is in the process of

tions to prohibit hunting preserves. The State has no specific CWD regulations but is un the process of developing them. The State conducts

ll discuss testing as regulations are developed.

eries and Wildlife regulates importation and possession, the Fish and Wildlife Board creates and modifies regulations and policies regarding

mports. In April 2002, the State issued a Moratorium on the importation of all cervids. Previous regulations: No white-tailed deer or elk

 only farmed deer allowed are fallow, sika, reindeer and red deer; bluetongue testing (within 30 days of import) if from endemic area. The

ve testing program for captive cervids or wildlife.

ction. On April 26, 2002, the State issues a one-year ban on all deer and elk imports. Previous regulations: USDA alpha numeric ear tag, must

ovine TB accredited, qualified or monitored herd, more extensive TB testing required. The State has voluntary surveillance; all death losses in

ust be reported to DOA and submitted for CWD testing. The State has tested 452 hunter-harvested white-tailed deer since 1998.

h June 1, 2003, importation of cervids from CWD infected herds, or CWD endemic areas as defined by the State Board of Animal Health are

ids from other areas may be imported only if they have been in a herd that has been subject to State or provincial approved CWD monitoring

years. Animals from herds or areas diagnosed with CWD not allowed. Elk only-herd of origin must be in a State recognized CWD

gram for one-year minimum. The State is in the process of developing an emergency outbreak plan. The State has voluntary testing; 167 game

d. The Department of Natural Resources has increased CWD targeted surveillance efforts, and released guidelines to field staff for collecting

veloping plans for sampling hunter-harvested deer this fall; the State expects to collect and test up to 4,000 deer this year.

es and Parks has jurisdiction over white-tailed deer; DOA has jurisdiction over exotics. No importation of white-tailed deer is allowed;

fication number is required. Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and DOA met on June 3, 2002 and implemented a ban on the importation of all

days. No imports are allowed from geographic regions where CWD is endemic or diagnosed. Exporting herd must have participated in CWD

ram approved by Mississippi State veterinarian for at least 12 months or furnish documentation of the import cervid since birth. The State is in

creasing CWD regulations. The State has very few captive cervid facilities. Annual health checks are performed on wild cervids, there is

esting.

nimal health and movement, exhibition, sales and elk for consumption or husbandry. Department of Conservation regulates hunting preserves

ilities. On May 16, 2002, the State issued an Emergency Rule which effected a four-month moratorium on the importation of mule deer,

 and elk over 16 months of age; transport of any live wild deer within the State has been halted. (Previous regulations: entry permit required).

 endemic areas, or animals having been in an endemic area during last five years are allowed; if importing from a State with CWD but not an

rd of origin must be under surveillance for at least three years. The State is working to finalize a State CWD contingency plan. Voluntary

ce programs have been developed with a majority of enrollment scheduled to begin July 2002. Random testing was done during 2001 hunting

ehensive program will be implemented during fall 2002.

d Parks has jurisdiction and over licensing, reports, record keeping and exterior fencing, classification, unlawful capture, inspection and

epartment of Livestock has authority over marking, inspection, transport, importation, quarantine, hold orders, interior facilities, health, and

rvids must be imported to a game farm with an approved quarantine facility; official identification tag, trace back capabilities; no red, axis,

a or roe deer imports; white-tailed deer must originate west of the 100th meridian and be certified free of meningeal worm parasites and

ae; elk must be free of red deer genes; cervidae must be TB and Para TB free. The State is not licensing new captive facilities, no shooting of

or transfer of existing licenses is allowed. Cervids must originate from a herd that has participated in an approved mandatory surveillance

or at least 60 months prior to import; no cervidae have been added to exporting herd within last 60 months from a herd of lesser CWD status;

e has any confirmed CWD, must have completed an epidemiological investigation and identified all CWD affected, exposed, or trace herds.

ulation 32.4.1301, Sub-Chapter 13: Requires annual whole herd inspection, identification verification and inventory, must report all animal

e working day of discovery and request inspection with CWD samples submitted for testing; test eligible age is 16 months and older. The

almost 1,800 animals. The State has done statewide sampling since 1998, and has tested more than 1,300 animals. The State also tests deer or

inical symptoms.
16

ction. Transport prohibited if exposed, infected, or suspected to have an infectious, contagious, or transmissible disease; identification number

 be moved through more than one concentration point in 90 days. Cervids cannot be moved out of endemic counties into non-endemic

f State. CVI for elk or mule deer must verify: 1) the herd of origin has had no diagnosis or epidemiological evidence of CWD for the past five

herd has been enrolled five or more years in a State-approved CWD herd monitoring program and current status has been recorded on CVI.

ds 16 months or older that die from illness, slaughter, hunting or any other cause shall be reported within 24 hours and submitted for CWD

997, the State has checked 2,491 hunter harvested deer and 131 hunter harvested elk. The State has tested 406 agency harvested deer and 42

ng clinical signs. The State will collect statistically valid sample around any positive cervid facility. The State is in the process of developing

s for deer and elk to address a reduction of CWD occurrence. Cervid import from any county or contiguous county that has a positive wild

om any game farm that has had a positive, exposed or trace animal in the past five years is not allowed.

CWD monitored herd with no incidence of the disease in the past five years will be allowed import permits. No elk ranches exist in the State.

sted deer and elk have been tested the past two years. If the State is under quarantine, special provisions apply.

Fish and Game and DOA have jurisdiction. On April 30, 2002, the State enacted an Emergency Rule which banned all cervid imports for 180

regulations: No cervidae shall enter the State from any premise where CWD was diagnosed or which has been received from a premise where

osed; permanent identification number). Department of Fish and Game and DOA will meet to discuss permanent regulations. The State has

program for captive cervids or wildlife. The State is working with Northeast Deer Technical Committee to establish testing in white-tailed

02, the State banned all imports and exports of any member of the cervid family. USDA/APHIS/VS, New Jersey DOA will repeat the 1997-98

luding captive cervids. The State is developing surveillance for captive cervids. In 1997-98, the State conducted a survey using heads from

d and road-killed deer.

ish and Game has jurisdiction. Cervids must be permanently and uniquely tattooed in at least one ear and tagged with a USDA metal ear tag;

Johne s disease, and originate from monitored herd free of CWD for at least 60 months. Must have completed Free of CWD Declaration

d does not originate from a herd in which CWD has been diagnosed in the last 60 months, does not originate from a herd identified as a source

nd the animal has no history or evidence of ever having been exposed to CWD. Importing party must also sign document stating that farm is

 State has tested captive herd for two years, and performs testing on suspect animals. The State has been testing wild cervids for two years and

test hunter killed deer and elk. The State banned importation from all States and Canada.

nvironmental Conservation (DEC) regulates importation and possession of live white-tailed deer and issues licenses for possession,

Agriculture and Markets regulates importation with regards to disease testing, process health inspection information and represents Deer and

ustry. On April 12, 2002, the State banned all imports of any member of the cervid family. (Previous regulations: negative anaplasmosis/blue

in 30 days of import) if from State where disease is endemic). DEC, DOA, State Department of Health and USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services

CWD MOU for responding to CWD. DEC is working with the DOA to develop a strategy for CWD testing of captive herds (they expect

n one month from May 28, 2002). The State has a testing program for wildlife.

 from transport required, identification number required, inventory report required to obtain or renew a captive cervid license. The State has a

for wildlife. No cervids are allowed from any county or contiguous county where CWD has been diagnosed.

 Health has jurisdiction. Captive cervids must meet standards of risk assessment and/or have health certificate. Elk-must be free of all

nfectious disease; genetic testing required in zones 1 and 2 in North Dakota; animal not infected with or exposed to Johne s disease. Importers CWD Risk Assessment Questionnaire and fax it to the Board of Animal Health prior to entry permit issuance; cervids and originating herds

tory of emaciation, depression, excessive salivation or thirst, or neurological disease. If symptoms arise, diagnostic measures must be taken

E. Game and Fish Department is in process of developing a Prevention and Contingency Plan for CWD in free-ranging cervids. Board of

as conducted mandatory surveillance since 1998 and mandatory inventory since 1993 for captive elk, white-tailed deer, and mule deer over 12

at die for any reason. Game and Fish Department has conducted Target Surveillance of free-ranging cervids since 1996. The State is in the

oping voluntary surveillance program of hunter-killed cervids.
17

ction. Cervids entering the State must be free of symptoms of CWD. No importations are allowed from quarantine premises or area. On May

e banned the importation of all cervids from Wisconsin. If entering cervids tested negative but were exposed to the disease, they might be

No importation from quarantine premises or area is allowed. The State is in the process of developing legislation requiring all cervid imports

ccredited herds and implementing an emergency rule on the importation of cervids from areas where CWD has been diagnosed. The State is in

veloping a monitoring program for captive cervids. The State plans to include CWD in 2002 hunting season deer gun TB survey. No cervid

sconsin are allowed.

Wildlife Conservation and DOA have jurisdiction. Cervids must originate from a premises where TB and brucellosis have not been diagnosed

nths; a permanent identification number is required. On May 21, 2002, the DOA suspended the import of cervids from all States and

 CWD has been identified in free-ranging cervid populations. Additionally, all other cervid imports require the source herd to participate in a

l CWD monitoring program as of January 1, 2001. On June 3, 3002, the Department of Wildlife Conservation passed rules which coincide

 DOA. The State has voluntary surveillance in participating herds requires testing all captive cervids over 16 months of age that die, perimeter

ngress/egress of cervids, annual herd inventory by an accredited veterinarian, designation of herd status, herd additions allowed from herd of

status, each animal shall have a minimum of two approved unique identifiers. 393 hunter-harvested animals have been tested since 1999,

hite-tailed deer, 8 mule deer and 9 elk.

es detailed herd history and elk negative for red-deer hybridization will only import fallow deer, reindeer and elk. The State prohibits

imal has ever been in or is from Manitoba or any Canadian province east of Manitoba, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, or Texas.

on and DOA have jurisdiction. Cervids are exempt if moved to hunting preserve for purpose of being shot; an identification number is

ltural Code (3 Pa.CSA 2322d, effective January 5, 2002 - January 4, 2003): Cervids must originate from a State where CWD is not known to

mal may not originate or have resided at anytime in a State in which CWD is known to exist. Cervid must be from a farm/herd enrolled in a

CWD monitoring program for at least five years. The State tests all captive cervids over 16 months that die (including slaughter), require

g preventing ingress/egress of cervids, annual herd inventory, designation of herd status, must report herd additions. The State has a testing

dlife.

ginate from a Federally accredited TB free herd; negative anaplasmosis/blue-tongue test (within 30 days of import). The State requires proof

urrent or past history of contact with or exposure to any potential CWD animals or States affected by CWD. The State plans to incorporate

tly into regulations as soon as possible.

te control over importation and possession of captive cervids. Clemson University Livestock and Poultry Health also provides permit if and

rtment of Natural Resources has previously permitted importation of the cervid. Other than an occasional permit for temporary exhibition (like

tmas shows) and one dated permit for a small number of privately held fallow deer, importation of cervids has not been permitted (SC Code

920). As of May 2002, no more permits for temporary exhibition. Since 1998, the State has participated in CWD surveillance with Southeast

dlife Disease Study.

ction. Negative anaplasmosis/blue-tongue test (within 30 days of import) and individual identification number are required. Owners must

rd Demographics and Risk Assessment form. Cervids must originate from a herd in which all cervidae have been kept for at least one year or

were born. No exposure to or additions from any other source in the past year are allowed. No diagnosis, signs or epidemiological evidence of

d for the past year are allowed. Movement will be allowed if animals originate from a herd determined to have a certified CWD cervid herd

mal Health Official of South Dakota. Documentation must also state that no animal in the herd has originated from, or ever been a member

CWD has been diagnosed, or have been a member of a CWD trace-back or trace-forward herd by an epidemiological investigation in the past

ew regulations are being discussed. The State monitors the occurrence and distribution of CWD; captive cervid farms are required to keep

port any additions, disappearances or illnesses which may be submitted for diagnosis. The State tested 881 hunter harvested animals (368 elk,

 deer, 101 mule deer) in 1998-99, emphasis for testing is on elk and deer near quarantined herds, Department of Fish and Game will take

ls for evaluation.
18

ction. No cervids are allowed from geographic areas where CWD diagnosed; CVI must state importing cervid originates from herd in CWD

gram for at least 18 months. On May 3, 2002, DOA enacted an Emergency Rule which banned the importation of cervids from geographic

D diagnosed; risk assessment based on proximity of cervid to positive CWD geographic areas is required; CVI must state importing cervid

herd in CWD surveillance program for at least 18 months, herd diagnosed with CWD, nor identified as a CWD trace-back or trace-forward

ns to herd must originate from a herd that has participated in a CWD surveillance program for at least 18 months. Surveillance on captive

med on a voluntary basis. Testing is done on animals displaying symptoms of CWD. The State plans to increase surveillance in 2002 to

f wild deer near captive cervid facilities.

Commission and Wildlife Commission have jurisdiction. On March 20, 2002, the Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas Parks and

ssion issued separate orders to prohibit the entry of all elk, white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer and mule deer into Texas. The State has had

llance since 1999; in participating herds, it requires submission of samples from all cases of mortality in animals over 16 months of age.

hat cervid is not infected with Johne s, CWD, or malignant catarrhal fever and may have never been east of the 100 degree meridian. Animals

ernal and external parasites treated. Cervids must originate from a State or province that requires all suspected/confirmed cases of CWD to be

must have the authority to quarantine. Elk must originate from States with implemented programs for surveillance, controls and eradication of

c elk. No elk from herd, trace-back herd or adjacent herd diagnosed with CWD or elk exposed to or positive for CWD allowed for import.

andatory cervid farm testing, must report any suspect or finding of CWD and must submit any elk over 16 months of age that dies for any

g, captive hunting facilities must submit samples from 50percent of all elk that are killed, slaughtered or destroyed. The State began wildlife

998, tested 761 deer and elk 1998-1999, and now has program targeting deer and elk exhibiting symptoms of CWD.ies and Wildlife Department have jurisdiction. In May 2002, DOA and Fish and Wildlife Department issued a moratorium on the importation

will be reviewed in six months). (Previous regulations: Animals must also test negative for anaplasmosis/blue tongue and vesicular stomatitis

eer and red deer must be free of nematodes of subfamily Elaphostranigylinaee at the time of importation).

ish and Game has jurisdiction. No white-tailed deer farming is allowed; two to three fallow deer farms exist; no other cervids are allowed. The

ocess of implementing a ban on all cervids and of developing mandatory surveillance. The State tested wild elk from 2001 hunting season, and

of making elk testing mandatory.

es a permanent identification number, origin of shipment, Elaphostrongylinae test (meningeal and muscle worm). No deer or elk may be

allow deer and reindeer. Veterinarian must report any signs of CWD by the next working day; farm owners must do monthly reporting when

rinarian. The State has conducted target surveillance sampling since 1995 from wild cervids with CWD symptoms, and will substantially

ance for 2002 hunting season. In 2001, expanded surveillance is to include locker room checks of meat processors handling wild game.

ointly issue import permits. Cervids must originate from TB Accredited herd; must complete application for importation; may not originate

iagnosed with CWD or TB. No cervids from States with CWD are allowed. The State has a CWD testing program for wildlife.

Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection regulates the importation of all cervids and registers farmed non-native cervids. DNR licenses

 farms. The State has an embargo on cervids from any State where CWD has been found, no imports of elk or deer are allowed unless they

 that have been monitored and free of CWD for at least five years. The State is gathering comments on the draft of a permanent rule to tighten

mport and intrastate movements of deer or elk and to require farmed raised deer and elk to be tested when they die or go to slaughter. Rule

are scheduled for June 2002. The State has mandatory enrollment of all herds shipping live animals requires official identification, inventory,

sactions, sampling of all mortalities of animals 16 months or older. The State has mandatory testing on all other carcasses of cervids 16

r if any part of the carcass leaves the farm. The State has tested more than 1,000 wild deer since 1999, and plans to expand voluntary testing of

 animals. The State will cull all deer in the eradication zone and reduce the deer population in adjacent management units to 50 percent ofs.

Commission has jurisdiction. Cervid ranching is not allowed; one elk ranch (which is not in the CWD endemic area and has opted not to

ds) was given an exemption. The State conducts continual statewide targeted animal survey; annual hunter surveys in endemic area, and tests

 animals per year.
19

Appendix II List of Working Group Members

Task Force Members

Bobby Acord U.S. Department of Agriculture (task force co-chair)

Steven A. Williams U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (task force co-chair)

A. Gordon Brown U.S. Department of the Interior

Larry Bryant U.S. Department of Agriculture

Bill Clay U.S. Department of Agriculture

John R. Clifford U.S. Department of Agriculture

W. Ron DeHaven U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Dennis B. Fenn U.S. Geological Survey

John Fischer Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study

Gary Rankle Bureau of Indian Affairs

Michael Gilsdorf (for John Clifford) U.S. Department of Agriculture

Randy Jones National Park Service

Bruce Morrison Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Frank Quimby U.S. Department of the Interior

Caird E. Rexroad, Jr. U.S. Department of Agriculture

Casey Stemler U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Gary Taylor International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

CWD Task Force Working Groups

Research

Dennis B. Fenn, Co-Chair U.S. Geological Survey

Caird E. Rexroad, Jr., Co-Chair U.S. Department of Agriculture

Elizabeth Williams, State Co-Chair University of Wyoming

Jerald Bartelt Wisconsin State Department of Natural Resources

Chris Brand U.S. Geological Survey

Lynn Creekmore U.S. Department of Agriculture

Dick Curnow U.S. Department of Agriculture

Linda Detwiler U.S. Department of Agriculture

John Fischer Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study

Michael Gilsdorf U.S. Department of Agriculture

Susan Haseltine U.S. Geological Survey

Robert Heckert U.S. Department of Agriculture

David Morris U.S. Department of Agriculture

Joseph Spence U.S. Department of Agriculture

Margaret Wild National Park Service

Larry Williams Nebraska Department of Agriculture

Surveillance

Michael Gilsdorf, Co-Chair U.S. Department of Agriculture

James Nichols, Co-Chair U.S. Geological Survey

Bruce Morrison, State Co-Chair Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Vicki Bridges U.S. Department of Agriculture

Kenneth Burnham U.S. Geological Survey

Wayne Cunningham Colorado Department of Agriculture

Jim de Vos Arizona Game and Fish Department

Tomas Gomez U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Adam Grow U.S. Department of Agriculture 

David L. Otis Iowa State University

Michael Samuel U.S. Geological Survey
20

Communications

Bill Clay, Co-Chair U.S. Department of Agriculture

Frank Quimby, Co-Chair U.S. Department of the Interior

Dale Garner, State Co-Chair Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Anna Cherry U.S. Department of Agriculture

Eugene J. Kinerney (Butch) U.S. Geological Survey

David Morris U.S. Department of Agriculture

Hallie Pickhardt U.S. Department of Agriculture

Paul Slota U.S. Geological Survey

Kim Smith U.S. Department of Agriculture

Heidi Valetkenitch U.S. Department of Agriculture

Jeff Ver Steeg Colorado Division of Wildlife

Information

Bill Clay, Co-Chair U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Gladys Cotter, Co-Chair U.S. Geological Survey

Steve Schmitt, State Co-Chair Michigan Department of Natural Resources

F. Joshua Dein U.S. Geological Survey

Jacob Faibisch International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Jean Fierke Michigan Department of Natural Resources

John Mosesso U.S. Geological Survey

Vivian Nolan U.S. Geological Survey

Todd Peterson Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Paul Slota U.S. Geological Survey

Ollie Torgerson Missouri Department of Conservation

Diagnostics

Randall Levings, Co-Chair U.S. Department of Agriculture

Scott Wright, Co-Chair U.S. Geological Survey

John Fischer, State Co-Chair Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study

Phil Bochsler Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Nancy Clough U.S. Department of Agriculture

Al Jenny U.S. Department of Agriculture

Katherine O Rourke U.S. Department of Agriculture

Clarence Siroky Wisconsin Department of Agriculture

Terry Spaker Colorado State University

Elizabeth Williams University of Wyoming

Disease Management

Lynn Creekmore, Co-Chair U.S. Department of Agriculture

Margaret Wild, Co-Chair National Park Service

Bruce Morrison, State Co-Chair Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Ginger Akin U.S. Department of Agriculture

John Damar U.S. Department of Agriculture

Michael Gilsdorf U.S. Department of Agriculture

Tom Hauge Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Jim Logan Wyoming State Department of Agriculture 

Mike Miller Colorado Division of Wildlife

Jack Ryhan U.S. Department of Agriculture

Rob W. Werge U.S. Department of Agriculture

Scott Wright U.S. Geological Survey