Thursday, November 29, 2012

TEXAS CWD UPDATE AND MANDATORY CWD CHECK STATION LOCATIONS Nov. 23 – Dec. 10; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.



Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 9:29 PM
Subject: TEXAS MANDATORY CWD CHECK STATION LOCATIONS Nov. 23 – Dec. 10; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

MANDATORY CWD CHECK STATION LOCATIONS
(Nov. 23 – Dec. 10; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Monday, November 19, 2012
HUNTING: New protocols for mule deer hunting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department due to CWD
 
 
 
 
Friday, October 12, 2012
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is Now Accepting Comments on Rule Proposals for “Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)”
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
 
 
 
Wednesday, October 03, 2012


TAHC Chronic Wasting Disease Rule What you need to know


http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2012/10/tahc-chronic-wasting-disease-rule-what.html

 
 
 
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
TPWD Gearing Up for CWD Response during Deer Season
 
 
 
 
Monday, September 17, 2012
New Mexico DGF EXPANDS CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CONTROL AREAS, while Texas flounders
 
 
 
 
Friday, September 07, 2012
Texas Wildlife Officials Considering New Deer Movement Rules in Response to CWD
 
 
 
 
Thursday, July 12, 2012
CWD aka MAD DEER, ELK DISEASE TEXAS HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 Brain-eating disease found in Texas deer
 
 
 
 
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Far West Texas
 
 
 
 
 
Saturday, July 07, 2012
TEXAS Animal Health Commission Accepting Comments on Chronic Wasting Disease Rule Proposal
Considering the seemingly high CWD prevalence rate in the Sacramento and Hueco Mountains of New Mexico, CWD may be well established in the population and in the environment in Texas at this time.
 
 
 
 
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
TAHC Modifies Entry Requirements Effective Immediately for Cervids DUE TO CWD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
 
 
Saturday, June 09, 2012
USDA Establishes a Herd Certification Program for Chronic Wasting Disease in the United States
 
 
 
 
Friday, September 07, 2012
Texas Wildlife Officials Considering New Deer Movement Rules in Response to CWD
 
 
 
 
Friday, June 01, 2012
 
 
TEXAS DEER CZAR TO WISCONSIN ASK TO EXPLAIN COMMENTS
 
 
 
 
Monday, March 26, 2012
Texas Prepares for Chronic Wasting Disease CWD Possibility in Far West Texas
 
 
 
 
Monday, March 26, 2012
3 CASES OF CWD FOUND NEW MEXICO MULE DEER SEVERAL MILS FROM TEXAS BORDER
 
 
 
 
Sunday, October 04, 2009
CWD NEW MEXICO SPREADING SOUTH TO TEXAS 2009
 
 
 
 
Subject: CWD NEW MEXICO RECORDS IT'S 19 CASE (near Texas border again)
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr." flounder9@VERIZON.NET
Reply-To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy BSE-L@LISTS.AEGEE.ORG
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 21:13:08 -0500 Content-Type: text/plain Parts/Attachments: text/plain (146 lines) Reply
Subject: CWD NEW MEXICO RECORDS IT'S 19 CASE (near Texas border again) Date: August 29, 2007 at 6:39 pm PST
ANOTHER DEER TESTS POSITIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
LAS CRUCES ? New Mexico recorded its 19th case of chronic wasting disease in deer in a sick animal found in the Bishop's Cap area of the Organ Mountains .
Officer Richard McDonald investigated a report of an emaciated deer July 12. The animal was unaware of human presence, chronically thirsty, urinating often, and staying in and near a water source. Officer McDonald followed the state's protocol for disease surveillance by killing the animal and sending it to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Albuquerque for testing.
Based on the symptoms and the area from which the deer came, the laboratory was instructed that chronic wasting disease (CWD) was highly probable. Laboratory diagnostic testing confirmed presence of CWD in this deer. This is the 19th deer with confirmed CWD found since it was first detected in New Mexico in 2002. Two elk have also been found with CWD.
This deer was in Game Management Unit 19, where special CWD restrictions already exist for hunters.
Anyone who finds a deer or elk that appears unaware of human presence and displays symptoms including droopy ears, emaciation, chronic thirst, frequent urination, and reluctance to leave water, should report their observations to the Department of Game and Fish, Wildlife Management Division, (505) 476-8127.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
 
 
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."
 
Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2006 1:47 PM
 
Subject: CWD in New Mexico 35 MILES FROM TEXAS BORDER and low testing sampling figures -- what gives TAHC ???
----- Original Message -----
 
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr." flounder9@VERIZON.NET
Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2006 1:47 PM
Subject: CWD in New Mexico 35 MILES FROM TEXAS BORDER and low testing sampling figures -- what gives TAHC ???
Subject: CWD in New Mexico 35 MILES FROM TEXAS BORDER and low testing sampling figures -- what gives TAHC ???
Date: December 23, 2006 at 11:25 am PST
Greetings BSE-L members,
i never know if i am going crazy or just more of the same BSe. several years ago i brought up the fact to the TAHC that CWD was literally at the Texas borders and that the sample size for cwd testing was no where near enough in the location of that zone bordering NM. well, i just wrote them another letter questioning this again on Dec. 14, 2006 (see below) and showed them two different pdf maps, one referencing this url, which both worked just fine then. since then, i have NOT received a letter from them answering my question, and the url for the map i used as reference is no longer working? i had reference this map several times from the hunter-kill cwd sampling as of 31 August 2005 pdf which NO longer works now??? but here are those figures for that zone bordering NM, for those that were questioning the url. the testing samples elsewhere across Texas where much much more than that figure in the zone bordering NM where CWD has been documented bordering TEXAS, near the White Sands Missile Range. SO, why was the Texas hunter-kill cwd sampling as of 31 August 2005 document removed from the internet??? you know, this reminds me of the infamous TEXAS MAD COW that i documented some 7 or 8 months before USDA et al documented it, when the TAHC accidentally started ramping up for the announcement on there web site, then removed it (see history at bottom). i am not screaming conspiracy here, but confusious is confused again on the ciphering there using for geographical distribution of cwd tissue sample size survey, IF they are serious about finding CWD in TEXAS. common sense would tell you if cwd is 35 miles from the border, you would not run across state and have your larger samples there, and least samples 35 miles from where is what found..........daaa..........TSS
THEN NOTICE CWD sample along that border in TEXAS, Three Year Summary of Hunter-Kill CWD sampling as of 31 August 2005 of only 191 samples, then compare to the other sample locations ;
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TPWD has been conducting surveys of hunter-kill animals since 2002 and has collected more than 7300 samples (as of 31 August 2005). In total, there have been over 9400 samples, both hunter-kill and private samples, tested in Texas to date, and no positives have been found.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SO, out of a total of 9,400 samples taken for CWD surveillance in TEXAS since 2002 of both hunter-kill and private kill, ONLY 191 samples have been taken in the most likely place one would find CWD i.e. the border where CWD has been documented at TEXAS and New Mexico
 
 
 
 
latest map NM cwd old data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CWD in New Mexico ;
 
 
What is the Department doing to
prevent the spread of CWD?
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was recently
detected in a mule deer from
Unit 34. Until 2005, CWD had only been found
in Unit 19. With this discovery, the Department
will increase its surveillance of deer and elk
harvested in Units 29, 30 and 34.
Lymph nodes and/or brain stems from every
harvested deer and brain stems from all elk
taken in Unit 34 will be sampled.
snip...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CWD SURVEILLANCE TEXAS
 
 
 
IMPLEMENTATION OF A GEOGRAPHICALLY FOCUSED CWD SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM FOR FREE-RANGING CERVIDS
A geographically-focused free-ranging cervid Monitoring Program was implemented during the fall 2002 deer-hunting season. Brain stem samples from hunter-killed deer will be obtained from TPWD Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), State Parks, and where otherwise available with hunter and/or landowner permission, from deer taken on private land. Volume 1, Sixth Edition of United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Regulatory Statistics (Appendix D1) indicates that 148 samples is sufficient to detect disease at two per-cent prevalence, regardless of the population size. Therefore the goal is to acquire 148 samples from each of the State's ten ecoregions provided adequate sampling distribution is achieved across each ecoregion. The five year 2002 -2006, goal is to cumulatively collect 459 samples from each of the ten ecoregions. The cumulative sample would be used statistically to detect CWD at one per-cent prevalence level with 99 per-cent confidence. However, funding from APHIS/USDA could provide the necessary funds for sampling at the one per-cent prevalence level each year. TAHC conducted a risk assessment of counties where deer and elk have been imported and where high densities of free-ranging deer occur. The assessment was conducted for USDA funding consideration. The risk assessment was based on limited number of criteria. Since CWD could potentially occur anywhere in Texas, monitoring efforts would be focused to achieve a stratified sampling scheme across each ecoregion of the State.
 
 
Confidentiality laws restrict the type of data TPWD personnel can collect as it relates to a specific parcel of land. Therefore, personnel will ensure that no property specific information is collected (i.e. ranch name or exact location) without the landowner's written permission. The following are guidelines for data and sample collection distributed to TPWD personnel prior to sample collection:
 
 
A Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Accession Form must be submitted with brain stem samples. The most important items to be filled out are the TPWD employee name, address and phone number, and "Patient/Deer ID". County of Kill can be recorded on the bottom of the form, but DO NOT report any information that identifies the specific parcel of land. The "Patient/Deer ID" number MUST BE specific to the field data sheet the employee is using to record data. Specific CWD field data sheets will not be provided, as current field data sheets (i.e. Age/Weight Antler Data Sheets, Hunter Check Station Data Sheets, etc.) will be appropriate in most cases. Field staff may produce their own CWD data sheet if necessary. The field data sheet must contain: Employee Name Sample Number (same as Patient/Deer ID on TVMDL Accession Form Sample Date Deer Age Deer Sex County of Kill Hunter Name Hunting License Number Ranch name or tract name/location ONLY with landowner permission. Should a CWD positive be detected, TAHC will use hunter contact information to conduct CWD investigation under their regulatory authority. Make sure the container containing the brain stem sample is legibly identified with the sample number, deer age and sex, county of kill and date. Although the sample number is all that is needed, additional information will help resolve any problems should batches of samples be combined. Should a landowner retain deer heads for our sampling purposes, remind the landowner to issue the hunters a proof of sex document as provided for in TAHC 65.10 (c). In addition, a Wildlife resource document (PWD 905) must accompany the head until the carcass reaches a final destination and finally processed. Samples MAY NOT be taken from legally harvested deer without the hunter's consent.
 
 
 
 
 
ACTIONS SHOULD A CWD POSITIVE BE DETECTED Should sampling detect a CWD positive animal, TAHC and TPWD would activate the Media Response Plan (Appendix F). TAHC and TPWD would immediately begin review of the information at hand and determine the action to be taken within the Response Plan (Appendix C.) The first action should be to inform landowners adjacent to the property containing the CWD positive and hold a meeting with advisory committees and affected landowner to discuss plans for secondary sampling. Planning for secondary sampling, investigating movements of deer into and away from property for further actions would then be the next step. The secondary sampling is critical for determining distribution and prevalence of the disease.
 
 
 
As distribution and prevalence is being determined, information review and discussions with TPWD advisory committees (e.g., Private Lands Advisory Board, Hunting Advisory Committee, White-tailed Deer Advisory Committee etc.) and landowners would take place in order to determine the appropriate management action to be taken.
 
 
 
 
 
 
and the discovery of several CWD positive mule deer in New Mexico, approximately 35 miles north of the Texas border were well out of the known boundaries of the disease.
 
 
 
The disease prevalence appears to be increasing in localized areas, although it is not clear whether this is due to increased incidence, or increased surveillance, reporting, and testing. Information from states with direct experience in managing CWD is being used for developing Texas plans as we learn from their experiences.
 
 
 
TPWD and TAHC are developing stepped up targeted and geographically-focused surveillance plans to monitor free-ranging deer for the presence of the disease and a rapid response plan to guide both TPWD and TAHC should CWD be detected in the State. TPWD and TAHC are also evaluating cervid management laws, rules, and policies for free ranging and scientific breeder permitted cervids under their authority to identify issues and potential weaknesses related to disease management. In these efforts, TPWD and TAHC will work with other agencies and organizations responsible for or are concerned about cervid disease management in an attempt to ensure comprehensive approaches to effective management of CWD risks (see Appendix C: Importation of Susceptible Cervids).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2006 9:52 PM
Subject: cwd at Texas border and low sampling figures ???
Greetings TAHC,
can someone please explain to me any reasoning at all for the very low sampling for CWD which have been taken where CWD is literally right at the steps of one of Texas borders, but yet across the state elsewhere, the numbers for testing increases ???
i do not understand the low sampling for cwd size where it is at our borders, compared to the highter numbers elsewhere???
see Texas hunter kill sample for CWD to Aug 31, 2005
 
 
 
 
see map where CWD has been documented at Texas border in free ranging deer and elk
 
 
 
 
 
kind regards,
Terry
Subject: CWD 3 NEW CASES SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO Date: July 10, 2006 at 8:51 am PST
 
 
 
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004 Public contact: (505) 476-8000 dan.williams@state.nm.us
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 7, 2006:
 
3 SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO DEER TEST POSITIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
 
 
SANTA FE – Three deer in southern New Mexico have tested positive for chronic wasting disease, bringing the total number of confirmed CWD-infected deer in the state to 15 since the first infected deer was discovered in 2002.
 
 
The Department received test results Wednesday from the state Veterinary Diagnostic Services laboratory in Albuquerque that two wild deer captured near the White Sands Missile Range headquarters east of Las Cruces had tested positive for chronic wasting disease. A third wild deer captured in the small community of Timberon in the southern Sacramento Mountains also tested positive for the disease.
 
 
The discoveries of the infected deer were part of the Department's ongoing efforts to monitor the disease, which to date has been confined to the southern Sacramento Mountains southeast of Cloudcroft and areas surrounding the Organ Mountains near Las Cruces. Two wild elk from the southern Sacramento Mountains tested positive for the disease in December 2005.
 
 
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological illness that afflicts deer, elk and moose. There is no evidence of CWD being transmitted to humans or livestock. The disease causes animals to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior and lose control of bodily functions. To date, it has been found in captive and wild deer, elk and moose in eight states and two Canadian provinces.
 
 
For more information about CWD in New Mexico and how hunters can assist in research and prevention, please visit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Web site, www.wildlife.state.nm.us . More information about CWD also can be found on the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance site at www.cwd-info.org/ .
 
###
 
 
SEE MAP NM
 
 
SEE SAMPLING MAP TEXAS
 
 
CWD Sampling Maps
 
Three Year Summary of Hunter-Kill CWD Sampling (as of August 31, 2005)
 
 
 
 
 
CWD Sampling Maps Three Year Summary of Hunter-Kill CWD Sampling (as of August 31, 2005) USDA CWD Maps March 2006 — Current Distribution of CWD TAHC CWD Monitoring Program Information CWD Sample Submission and Costs 2006 Factsheet For Producers Enrolling in the Complete Herd Monitoring Program USDA CWD Maps March 2006 — Current Distribution of CWD TAHC CWD Monitoring Program Information CWD Sample Submission and Costs 2006 Factsheet For Producers Enrolling in the Complete Herd Monitoring Program
 
 
----- Original Message -----
 
 
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."
 
 
To: Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 6:51 PM
 
 
Subject: CWD TWO NEW CASES NEAR WHITE SANDS MISSLE RANGE NEW MEXICO
 
 
##################### Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy #####################
 
 
From: TSS
Subject: CWD TWO NEW CASES NEAR WHITE SANDS MISSLE RANGE NEW MEXICO
Date: June 27, 2005 at 4:43 pm PST
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JUNE 24, 2005:
TWO MULE DEER TEST POSITIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
ANGLER LANDS STATE RECORD BLUE CATFISH AT ELEPHANT BUTTE LAKE
TWO MULE DEER TEST POSITIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
 
 
 
SANTA FE – Two mule deer captured in the Organ Mountains as part of an ongoing research project near White Sands Missile Range have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease that attacks the brains of infected deer and elk, the Department of Game and Fish announced.
 
 
 
 The number of confirmed CWD cases in New Mexico now stands at 11 since 2002, when the disease was first confirmed in a deer found near the eastern foothills of the Organ Mountains. All 11 CWD-infected deer were found in the same general area of southern New Mexico. The origin of the disease in New Mexico remains unknown.
 
 
 
 The carcasses of the infected deer will be incinerated, said Kerry Mower, the Department’s lead wildlife disease biologist.
 
Chronic wasting disease causes animals to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior, lose bodily functions and die. The disease has been found in wild deer and elk, and in captive deer and elk, in eight states and two Canadian provinces. There currently is no evidence of CWD being transmitted to humans or livestock.
 
 
 
 Mower said the most recent CWD-positive deer showed no obvious physical signs of having the disease. They were captured in April 2005 and tested as part of a 3-year-old research project studying deer population dynamics in southern New Mexico. More than 140 deer have been captured alive and tested for the study, in which researchers hope to find the cause of a 10-year decline in the area deer population. Study participants include the Department of Game and Fish, the U.S. Army at White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Geological Survey at New Mexico State University, and San Andres National Wildlife Refuge.
 
 
 
Hunters can assist the Department in its CWD research and prevention efforts by bringing their fresh, legally harvested deer or elk head to an area office, where officers will remove the brain stem for testing. Participants will be eligible for drawings for an oryx hunt on White Sands Missile Range and a trophy elk hunt on the Valle Vidal.
 
 
 
For more information about the drawing and chronic wasting disease, visit the Department web site at
 
 
 
SEE MAP ;
 
 
 
Greetings list members,
 
 
 
I am deeply concerned with these CWD mad deer so close to the Texas border. WHAT keeps them from crossing the border to Texas ??? IF these illegal aliens can so easily cross our borders, why not these infected deer? maybe we should get these minute men to start watching for mad deer coming in to Texas from New Mexico.
 
 
 
I mentioned my concerns several other times before;
-------- Original Message --------
 
 
Subject: Current status of CWD testing in Texas
 
 
Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 09:09:47 –0500
 
From: "kschwaus"
 
 
To: Mr. Singeltary,
I was asked to provide you with the following information. If you have any other questions regarding CWD sampling in Texas, please do not hesitate to give me a call. My office number is below.
 
 
Below I have included a chart showing CWD samples that have been tested since the fall of 2002 through the present at the eco-region level. The second chart shows the totals on a given year. The unknown location samples come from private individuals sending in samples directly to the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab (TVMDL). Due to the confidentiality laws that the TVMDL operates under, they are unable to provide TPWD with the location of those samples.
 
 
Region Population Estimate
Sampling from Fall 2002 to Present
Pineywoods
502,521
975
Gulf Prairie
90,664
441
Post Oak Savannah
291,119
1146
Black Land Prairies
54,505
153
Cross Timbers
441,031
1015
Edwards Plateau
1,608,390
1618
South Texas Plains
500,183
1253
Rolling Plains
231,358
352
High Plains
49,981
81
Trans Pecos
148,174
173
Unknown Location
1,896
Total
3,917,926
9,103
Samples Collected By
2002-03
2003-04
2004-Present
TPWD
1,722
2,955
2,540
Private (unknown location)
326
608
952
Total
2,048
3,563
3,492
Thank you,
Kevin Schwausch
Big Game Program Specialist
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
PO Box 1394
Burnet, TX 78611
512-756-4476
===============================
I would like to thank Kevin and TPWD for there prompt reply with updated data.
I am still concerned about the Texas, New Mexico border and New Mexico's apparent lack of CWD testing updates. Makes one wonder about there CWD testing program. NO report/reply back from New Mexico about there CWD testing update yet. ...
TSS
===================
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: CWD SURVEILLANCE TEXAS UPDATE (kinda)
Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 14:52:48 –0500
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."
Reply-To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
##################### Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy #####################
IMPLEMENTATION OF A GEOGRAPHICALLY FOCUSED CWD SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM FOR FREE-RANGING CERVIDS
A geographically-focused free-ranging cervid Monitoring Program was implemented during the fall 2002 deer-hunting season. Brain stem samples from hunter-killed deer will be obtained from TPWD Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), State Parks, and where otherwise available with hunter and/or landowner permission, from deer taken on private land. Volume 1, Sixth Edition of United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Regulatory Statistics (Appendix D1 ) indicates that 148 samples is sufficient to detect disease at two per-cent prevalence, regardless of the population size. Therefore the goal is to acquire 148 samples from each of the State's ten ecoregions provided adequate sampling distribution is achieved across each ecoregion. The five year 2002 -2006, goal is to cumulatively collect 459 samples from each of the ten ecoregions. The cumulative sample would be used statistically to detect CWD at one per-cent prevalence level with 99 per-cent confidence. However, funding from APHIS/USDA could provide the necessary funds for sampling at the one per-cent prevalence level each year. TAHC conducted a risk assessment of counties where deer and elk have been imported and where high densities of free-ranging deer occur. The assessment was conducted for USDA funding consideration. The risk assessment was based on limited number of criteria. Since CWD could potentially occur anywhere in Texas, monitoring efforts would be focused to achieve a stratified sampling scheme across each ecoregion of the State.
Confidentiality laws restrict the type of data TPWD personnel can collect as it relates to a specific parcel of land. Therefore, personnel will ensure that no property specific information is collected (i.e. ranch name or exact location) without the landowner's written permission. The following are guidelines for data and sample collection distributed to TPWD personnel prior to sample collection:
1. A Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Accession Form must be submitted with brain stem samples. 2. The most important items to be filled out are the TPWD employee name, address and phone number, and "Patient/Deer ID". County of Kill can be recorded on the bottom of the form, but DO NOT report any information that identifies the specific parcel of land. 3. The "Patient/Deer ID" number MUST BE specific to the field data sheet the employee is using to record data. 4. Specific CWD field data sheets will not be provided, as current field data sheets (i.e. Age/Weight Antler Data Sheets, Hunter Check Station Data Sheets, etc.) will be appropriate in most cases. Field staff may produce their own CWD data sheet if necessary. 5. The field data sheet must contain: 1. Employee Name 2. Sample Number (same as Patient/Deer ID on TVMDL Accession Form 3. Sample Date 4. Deer Age 5. Deer Sex 6. County of Kill 7. Hunter Name 8. Hunting License Number 9. Ranch name or tract name/location ONLY with landowner permission. 6. Should a CWD positive be detected, TAHC will use hunter contact information to conduct CWD investigation under their regulatory authority. 7. Make sure the container containing the brain stem sample is legibly identified with the sample number, deer age and sex, county of kill and date. Although the sample number is all that is needed, additional information will help resolve any problems should batches of samples be combined. 8. Should a landowner retain deer heads for our sampling purposes, remind the landowner to issue the hunters a proof of sex document as provided for in TAHC 65.10 (c). In addition, a Wildlife resource document (PWD 905) must accompany the head until the carcass reaches a final destination and finally processed. 9. Samples MAY NOT be taken from legally harvested deer without the hunter's consent.
 
 
 
 
 
ACTIONS SHOULD A CWD POSITIVE BE DETECTED
Should sampling detect a CWD positive animal, TAHC and TPWD would activate the Media Response Plan (Appendix F ). TAHC and TPWD would immediately begin review of the information at hand and determine the action to be taken within the Response Plan (Appendix C .) The first action should be to inform landowners adjacent to the property containing the CWD positive and hold a meeting with advisory committees and affected landowner to discuss plans for secondary sampling. Planning for secondary sampling, investigating movements of deer into and away from property for further actions would then be the next step. The secondary sampling is critical for determining distribution and prevalence of the disease.
As distribution and prevalence is being determined, information review and discussions with TPWD advisory committees (e.g., Private Lands Advisory Board, Hunting Advisory Committee, White-tailed Deer Advisory Committee etc.) and landowners would take place in order to determine the appropriate management action to be taken.
 
 
 
 
 
APPENDIX A: Results of CWD Sampling
Sampling and testing results for CWD from June, 2002 to April 1, 2003 are presented below:
Sampling and testing results for CWD from June, 2002 to April 1, 2003
TPWD TAHC Private Sector 1349 CWD Negative Deer 335 CWD Negative Deer 336 CWD Negative Deer 23 CWD Negative Exotics No Exotics No Exotics 1372 Total 335 Total 336 Total
The Grand Total of all samples collected and known 4/1/03 is 2043 of which 2020 deer and 23 exotics were found CWD negative. Samples were collected from 143 of 254 counties in Texas, and seven counties had 50 or more samples collected. Five ecoregions had 160 or more samples collected (150 samples from each ecoregion was the goal). The geographic distribution of sampling is currently not considered adequate for determining whether or not CWD exists in Texas (see map pg. 15). The goal is to improve upon distribution of samples collected within ecoregions and within counties. The goal of 2003-2004 and the next three to five years, is to collect 5000 samples (500 from each ecoregion) each sample year. The increased sampling is to have a 99 per-cent confidence level in detecting CWD if only one per-cent of the population is infected. Long-term surveillance sampling for CWD is required, as little is known about the incubation and infectious periods of the disease.
fig1AppendixA (18K)
SEE MAP OF TEXAS CWD TESTING


 
 
 
 
 
 
APPENDIX B: Chronic Wasting Disease - Status of Current Knowledge
Occurrence and Distribution
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, which is a disease that alters the structure of the brain, in a way that resembles a sponge-like appearance and texture. Much is not known about CWD, including its origin, exact mode of transmission, and the causative or etiological agent. The source of CWD may be related in some way to scrapie in domestic sheep; it may "represent a spontaneous, naturally occurring" form of this disease in cervids thought to be caused by a "low virus infection." A more plausible theory is that CWD is caused by a point mutation of a membrane-bound protein resulting in accumulations of proteinase-resistant proteins called "prions" in the brain (medulla oblongata), tonsils (in deer only), and lymphoid tissue.
The only known long-term distribution of CWD in free-ranging susceptible cervids includes two contiguous local areas in northeastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming. Up to 15% and less than 1% prevalence were reported for mule deer and elk, respectively, in certain management units. Two cases of CWD occurred in mule deer in the southwestern corner of the panhandle of Nebraska, which is close to the endemic area of Colorado and Wyoming. Both of these latter animals were close enough to have originated from the endemic area. More recently, CWD was diagnosed in deer in Nebraska within and outside a fenced pasture of a captive operation where elk were diagnosed with the disease. Infections in captive elk also have been documented in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Kansas. In early 2002, CWD was detected in free-ranging white-tailed deer in South Dakota and Wisconsin, later the disease was found in breeder pens in northern Wisconsin. Cases of CWD have been documented in captive elk and free ranging mule deer in Saskatchewan and Ontario as well. New Mexico discovered CWD in a free-ranging mule deer on the White Sands Missile Range, Minnesota found CWD in a captive elk herd, Illinois detected CWD in a free-ranging white-tailed deer and an infected white-tailed deer was found in a breeding facility in Alberta.
Incubation, Transmission, and Clinical Course of CWD
Incubation time, that time from infection to appearance of clinical signs, typically is less than 2 years (18-24 months). However, incubation time can be variable and ranges up to 36 months. The exact mode of transmission of CWD is unknown; however, circumstantial and experimental data indicate horizontal (or lateral) transmission in captive susceptible cervids, either by direct animal-to-animal contact or by environmental contamination. For susceptible cervids, the routes of transmission are presumed to be by exposure to saliva, urine, feces, or placental tissue, with infection occurring through the alimentary canal (mouth/nose - esophagus - stomach - intestines). If this transmission mode is confirmed for free-ranging deer or elk, it could potentially exacerbate the risk of infection. In contrast to outbreaks of mad cow disease, where exposure to animal protein-contaminated feed was documented, this has not been the case for captive or wild cervids infected with CWD. Presently, feed contamination is not considered a likely underlying transmission mechanism. Whereas, the importance of maternal transmission (mother to fetus or nursing young) as a mode of scrapie transmission in domestic sheep has at least been debated, its importance relative to CWD persistence in captive and wild cervid herds has been contraindicated thus far by current reports. Although the route of agent shedding from infected individuals is presently unknown, it is believed that the rate of agent shedding may very well increase as the disease progresses. Thus far, evidence also indicates that there is no difference between males and females or across age classes in susceptibility to CWD.
Importantly, natural transmission of TSEs (i.e., BSE, CWD) between domesticated bovines (i.e., cattle, bison), sheep and cervids has not been documented. Deer, domestic cattle and sheep have been experimentally inoculated with brain tissue containing (PrP(res)) from CWD - infected mule deer, and 2 years later, only the deer have become infected with CWD. However, healthy deer have been inoculated with brain tissue from scrapie-infected sheep, and the deer developed spongiform encephalopathy.
The clinical course of CWD is about 12 months. That is, once clinical signs are apparent, cervids rarely survive more than 12 months. Chronic wasting disease is a progressive, fatal disease, with no vaccine to prevent the disease or treatment for reversing the disease (recovery), and there is no evidence of immunity. There has been no effective, practical ante mortem (live-animal) test for diagnosis until recently; a live-test for deer (not elk) involving tonsil biopsy and immunohistochemical analysis for (PrR (res)) accumulation has demonstrated promise, and may be more sensitive than the post-mortem analysis of the obex of the medulla oblongata in the brain. The practicality of this test remains to be decided.
Clinical Signs of CWD
All signs or symptoms of CWD do not occur in all cases, and many of these signs are symptoms of other diseases and conditions as well. Further, the occurrence and severity of symptoms will depend in part on the stage (early versus advanced) of the disease. Below is a comprehensive list of the clinical signs of CWD: (1) loss of fear of humans; (2) nervousness or hyper-excitability; (3) teeth-grinding; (4) ataxia or loss of coordination; (5) notable weakness; (6) intractability; (7) inability to stand; (8) rough dull hair coat; (9) excessive salivation; (10) flaccid, hypotonia of the facial muscles; (11) drooping of the head and ears; (12) excessive thirst (polydipsia); (13) excessive urination (polyuria); (14) esophageal hypotonia and dilation, difficulty swallowing, and regurgitating ruminal fluid and ingesta; and (15) severe emaciation and dehydration.
It is important to note that while some primary symptoms may be directly related to CWD, others may be secondary, more of a consequence of the deteriorating body condition (emaciation) and related physiology (e.g., pneumonia, abscesses, enteritis, or internal parasitism that may often cause emaciation).
Pathological Signs of CWD
Pathological signs of the disease include: (1) emaciation associated with absence or serous atrophy of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue or fat, and yellow gelatinous bone marrow; (2) sub acute to chronic bronchopneumonia; (3) digestive tract (abomasal or omasal) ulcers; (4) enlarged adrenal glands; (5) watery or frothy rumen contents; and (6) histological lesions. These lesions have primarily and most consistently been observed in the brain and spinal cord. (7) Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is very sensitive and specific to CWD and is typically used to confirm diagnoses by measuring accumulations of proteinase-resistant prion protein (PrP(res)) in brain tissues (specifically in the obex of the medulla oblongata) of infected deer and elk. This prion protein is indistinguishable from the scrapie-associated prion protein (PrP(Sc)) found in brain tissues of domestic sheep infected with scrapie, but other differences have been noted. (PrP(res)) has not been detected in uninfected cervids. This test can detect CWD infection before lesions are observable; however, IHC (+) results are not detected until at least three months after infection. Lesions do not always accompany (PrP(res)) accumulation and IHC (+) results. (8) Scrapie associated fibrils (SAFs) have been observed by electron microscopy in the brain tissue of infected cervids, but not in uninfected cervids. (9) Generally, blood (whole blood and serum) and urine profiles have remained within the normal range, with the exception that certain characteristics have reflected the emaciated condition of the infected animals. Low specific gravity of the urine, is the one urine characteristic that may be directly related to CWD, specifically to degenerative encephalopathic changes in the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is important in regulating anti diuretic hormone, which influences concentrations of urinary electrolytes (e.g., Na) and osmolality.
 
 
 
 
APPENDIX C: Importation of Susceptible Cervids
On March 20, 2002, the Texas Animal Health Commission, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission issued separate orders to prohibit the entry of all elk, white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, and mule deer into Texas.
On August 25, 2002, Texas Animal Health Commission adopted entry requirements for black-tailed deer, elk, or other cervid species determined to be susceptible to CWD. All mule deer and white-tailed deer held under authority of Scientific Breeder Permits are also required to obtain a purchase permit and, in some cases, a transport permit from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in order to enter the state. All requests for entry must be made in writing and accompanied with the information necessary to support import qualification of the animal(s). Requests for entry and supporting documentation should be received by the TAHC at least 10 working days prior to the proposed entry date. The processing of the application can be expedited by assuring that all of the necessary documentation has been provided and that the necessary staff is available for review. The application must be accompanied by an owner's statement stating that to his/her knowledge the animals (or donor animals) to be imported have never come in contact with equipment or resided on a premise where CWD was ever diagnosed.
Entry Requirements: The applicant must identify the herd of origin and the herd of destination on both the permit application and the certificate of veterinary inspection. The susceptible cervid(s) to be imported into this state, shall be identified to their herd of origin by a minimum of two official/approved unique identifiers to include, but not limited to, legible tattoo, USDA approved ear tag, breed registration or other state approved permanent identification methods. If a microchip is used for identification, the owner shall provide the necessary reader. A certificate of veterinary inspection completed by an accredited veterinarian shall accompany the shipment. Additionally, the herd of origin must meet the following criteria:
1. In states where there is a state approved CWD monitoring program which meets the requirements provided in Section D of Appendix C (below) and where CWD has not been identified in a susceptible species, then all elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and black-tailed deer to be imported must originate from a herd that has been in a state-approved complete herd certification program for a minimum of three years (or current federal standards). 2. From states which do not have a CWD monitoring program which meets the standards provided in Section D of Appendix C (below) and where CWD has not been identified in a susceptible species, then all elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and black-tailed deer shall originate from herds that have complete herd records, including, but not limited to, complete and detailed herd inventories, records of deaths, laboratory results, and sales and purchase receipts, for a minimum of five years. Complete documents which support this type of status shall be submitted with the permit application. 3. In states where CWD has been identified in a susceptible species, then elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and black-tailed deer (or other susceptible species) to be imported must originate from a herd that has been in a state-approved complete herd monitoring program, as provided in Section D of Appendix C (below) for a minimum of five years. 4. A state-approved chronic wasting disease monitoring program must be certified by the Texas State Veterinarian as meeting the following minimum standards: 1. In states where CWD has been found in free-ranging wildlife, the state program shall have perimeter fencing requirements adequate to prevent ingress, egress or contact with susceptible cervids. 2. Surveillance based on testing of susceptible cervid deaths over 16 months of age is required of all herds within a complete herd monitoring program. Surveillance sampling at commercial slaughter and at shooter operations should be at least 10 percent of the number slaughtered annually. 3. A good quality sampling program where state and federal officials have the authority to adjust herd status if poor quality samples, particularly samples that are from the wrong portion of the brain, are routinely submitted from a premise. Laboratory analysis of the brain stem by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved lab is recognized as the current standard for CWD diagnosis. Other laboratory analyses may be accepted as validated or accepted by USDA/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). 4. Physical herd inventory with annual verification reconciling animals and identification with records by an accredited veterinarian or state or federal personnel is required. Inventory is to include a cross check of all animal identifications with the herd inventory and specific information on the disposition of all animals not present. 5. Premise locations must be specifically identified by GIS or detailed description during the initial herd inventory. 6. Herd additions are allowed from herds with equal or greater time in an approved state CWD monitoring program with no negative impact on the certification status of the receiving herd. If herd additions are acquired from a herd with a later date of enrollment, the receiving herd reverts to the enrollment date of the sending herd. If a herd participating in the monitoring program acquires animals from a non-participating herd, the receiving herd must start over with new enrollment date based upon the date of acquisition of the animal(s). If a new herd begins with animals of a given status, that status will be retained by the new herd, based upon the lowest status of the animals received. Animals of different status which are commingled during marketing or transport will revert to the lowest status. 7. Elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer and black-tailed deer will only be allowed to enter the state of Texas if the state of origin lists CWD as a reportable disease and imposes an immediate quarantine on a herd and/or premise when a CWD positive animal is disclosed. 8. Animal health officials in the state of origin must have access to herd records for the appropriate number of years (three to five), including records of deaths and causes of death. 9. Section D also addresses entry requirements as they pertain to tuberculosis testing. However, these requirements are not included as a part of the Texas Chronic Wasting Disease Management Plan.
At the November 2002 meeting the TPWD Commission adopted regulations, to suspend the ban on importation of mule deer and white-tailed deer and provide for importation under TAHC requirements. Additionally, the TPW Commission adopted changes to Trap, Transportation, and Transplant rules, which will require a sample of deer to be tested for CWD on any property serving as a trap site for relocated deer. The rule sets forth the minimum sample size, requires the sample to be tested 100% negative by the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and stipulates that all deer transported be uniquely marked with an ear tattoo prior to release.
 
 
 
 
 
APPENDIX D: Response Plan for CWD If Detected
1. If the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory reports a CWD positive test, the suspect sample will be immediately shipped to USDA Laboratory at Ames, Iowa for conformation of positive finding. The time between initial suspect finding and Ames Lab confirmation will be used to mobilize staff and groups for response plan initiation. 2. The confirmation notice of a positive would come through the USDA Veterinary Services Office in Austin, and USDA/VS personnel would be part of the response effort. 3. Governor's Office will be notified of the finding, as well as Commission members of both TAHC and TPWD. 4. CWD Media Response Plan will be activated (Appendix F ).
5. Source location of CWD positive concerns: 1. The source location of the CWD positive animal and information about the area, landowners (to contact for cooperative discussions on further sampling, review of management plans), and the deer density within a 4-8 mile radius will be determined. 2. Should the source location of the CWD positive be in a Scientific Breeder facility or pen, TAHC will inform and work cooperatively with the landowner. TAHC may elect to monitor the herd with special conditions (i.e. double-fencing) or negotiate indemnification (cap established at $3000.00 for prime breeding animals) for eradication of the herd. 6. GIS locations and mapping for sampling will be utilized. 7. TAHC and TPWD will inform and work cooperatively with landowners and with landowner permission in the sample area that may be affected. 8. TAHC would determine sampling requirements. Sample numbers and the size of the area to be sampled will be determined based upon population numbers and the statistically-based numbers required for detecting CWD at a 2% prevalence level from "Regulatory Statistics Volume 1, Sixth Edition" (See Appendix D1). The numbers of animals to be sampled (projected at 150) would be collected throughout an area from 64-1056 square miles and not from a single property unless it is as large as the sample area around a positive. A square mile is 640 acres, in areas where the herd density is 1 deer per 5 acres an area of 64 square miles should contain 8192 deer (128 deer per section) and less than 3 deer per section will be sampled. In areas where the herd density is 1 deer per 200 acres an area of 1056 square miles should contain 3379 deer (3.2 deer section) a deer per 7 sections would be sampled. This sampling is not designed to reduce the population below viability. 9. Sampling will be conducted at no cost to the landowner in a cooperative manner to detect additional CWD positives, and sampling around any additional positive finds, to determine direction of spread, prevalence of the disease and to determine distribution. Additional samples would be taken surrounding any new positive to determine direction, but re-sampling again in an area previously sampled would not be necessary. 10. Simultaneously with the sampling, a joint investigation into movement of deer into or out of area will be conducted. 11. Identify geologic features or barriers, which may be used to limit population distribution, will be determined. 12. After distribution is determined, reasonable, responsible, and rational management strategies will be determined in association with landowners and applied as situations dictate following sampling activities, to include monitoring at appropriate intervals, herd reduction as a possible strategy, and eradication of local populations in limited appropriate circumstances. Strategies for possible treatments will also be discussed and reviewed with the TTT/MLDP Task Force/ White-tailed Deer Advisory Committee and the Private Lands Advisory Board. 13. TPWD will collect and take samples from cervids and transport sample to Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory for analysis. 14. Options for CWD testing (i.e. ELISA test) within localities should a CWD-positive be detected will be considered and evaluated. The purpose would be to ensure reliable test results in a timely manner within the local area providing little interruption to hunting and recreation in the area. 15. TPWD must be prepared to make budget and personnel adjustments for the sampling.

 
 
 
 
APPENDIX D1
United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services
REGULATORY STATISTICS
Volume 1
Sixth Edition June 1983 By Victor C. Beal, Jr. Table 2 - NUMBER NEEDED TO TEST TO BE 95% CONFIDENT THAT THE DISEASE WILL BE DETECTED IF PRESENT AT OR ABOVE FIVE LEVELS OF INCIDENCE OR CONTAMINATION
SEE FUZZY MATH BELOW ;

 
 
 
 
APPENDIX E: TAHC Rules for Monitoring CWD
Participating herds must have adequate perimeter fencing to prevent ingress and egress of cervids. Collection and submission of appropriate samples from all cases of mortality in animals over 16 months of age will accomplish surveillance in participating herds. Exemptions are provided for animals consigned to commercial slaughter operations with state or federal meat inspection. An annual inventory in participating herds shall be verified by a TAHC, USDA or accredited veterinarian. All animals over one year of age shall be identified with an official ear tag or other approved identification device. All animals less than one year of age shall be officially identified on a change of ownership.
Herd status designation shall be assigned on the basis of the number of years of participation provided that CWD is not confirmed in the herd:
1. Level A - One full year of participation. 2. Level B - Two to three years of participation. 3. Level C - Four to five years of participation. 4. Level D - Six years or more of participation.
Additions to Complete Monitored Herd:
1. Additions may originate from herds of equal or higher status with no change in the status of the receiving herd. 2. Additions may originate from herds of lower status with the receiving herd acquiring the lower status of the herd(s) involved.

 
 
 
 
APPENDIX F: Media Response Plan
A deer tissue sample tests positive for CWD in Texas, then the TPWD and TAHC officials have only a few hours to manage communication before news reaches the public section.
Prior to Trigger Event, these items are complete and ready to go:
* Step-by-Step Media Response Plan * Shell of news release announcing CWD find-Draft pending response plan protocols being developed between TPWD and TAHC. * Identify news media spokespersons with TPWD and TAHC in Austin o TAHC: (512) 719-0700. Media Contact: Carla Everett. Spokespersons: Dr. Ken Waldrup, Dr. Max Coates, Dr. Linda Logan, Dr. Dan Baca, and Dr. Terry Conger. o TPWD: (512) 389-8900. Media Contact: Steve Lightfoot. Spokespersons: Robert L. Cook, Ron George, Clayton Wolf, and Doug Humphreys * Web site for news media and general public on CWD. Listings on site include: * FAQ/Q&A sheet with basic facts on CWD o http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hunt/chronic_wasting_disease/ * Names/contact info for local/regional experts who can speak about CWD in various regions of Texas. * Streaming video of CWD educational video on Web for general public. * Downloadable radio PSAs. * High-resolution photos and video of animals with CWD.
 
 
 
Actions Needed:

 
* Gain a clear understanding of Texas operational plan for handling CWD outbreak, including likely sequence of events from initial find to confirmation, and approve policies concerning quarantines, stoppage of intrastate animal movement, and designation of infection zone for monitoring, sampling protocols and possible depopulation plan. * Effective communication planning hinges on our through understanding of state's plan for dealing with a CWD outbreak. * Obtain concurrence with media response plan from TAHC and TPWD. * Make final these above-listed information instruments.
Trigger Event
Notification that a suspected case of CWD exists in Texas.
Notify media contacts at TAHC and TPWD.
* TAHC - Carla Everett, (512) 719-0700 or (800) 550-8242. ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us * TPWD - Steve Lightfoot, (512) 389-4701 or (512) 565-3680. steve.lightfoot@tpwd.state.tx.us
Actions Needed:
* TAHC and TPWD confirm contacts and alternates, e-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and office and home phone numbers provided to Carla Everett and/or Steve Lightfoot for compilation, coordination and distribution to agency leadership and involved personnel from other entities. * News release distributed to media, agency(s) personnel and commissioners, affected stakeholder groups and constituents. * News conference called, depending on level of media response.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
TEXAS OLD STATISTICS BELOW FOR PAST CWD TESTING;
 
 
 
Subject: CWD testing in Texas
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 19:45:14 –0500
From: Kenneth Waldrup
Dear Dr. Singletary,
In Fiscal Year 2001, seven deer from Texas were tested by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for CWD (5 fallow deer and 2 white-tailed deer).
In Fiscal Year 2002, seven elk from Texas were tested at NVSL (no deer).
During these two years, an additional six elk and one white-tailed deer were tested at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL).
In Fiscal Year 2002, four white-tailed deer (free-ranging clinical suspects) and at least eight other white-tailed deer have been tested at TVMDL.
One elk has been tested at NVSL.
All of these animals have been found negative for CWD.
Dr. Jerry Cooke of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also has records of 601 clinically ill white-tailed deer which were necropsied at Texas A&M during the late 1960's and early 1970's, and no spongiform encepalopathies were noted.
Thank you for your consideration.
Ken Waldrup, DVM, PhD Texas Animal Health Commission
========================
 
 
 
TEXAS CWD STATUS
Captive Cervids
There have been no reported CWD infections of captive elk or deer in Texas. There is currently no mandatory surveillance program for susceptible cervids kept on game farms, although, there has been voluntary surveillance since 1999, which requires owners of participating herds to maintain an annual herd inventory and submit samples for all mortalities of animals over 16 months of age.
Free-Ranging (Wild) Cervids
There have been no reported CWD infections of free-ranging susceptible cervids in Texas. Currently targeted surveillance of free-ranging cervids having clinical symptoms is ongoing in Texas with no positives identified. Additionally, sampling of hunter-killed animals was initiated statewide during the 2002-2003 deer hunting season and sampling will be continued for the next three to five years.
Historic Status
Some have speculated that CWD is "spontaneous" and may exist naturally at low levels, even in Texas. The Texas Wildlife Disease Project, a cooperative research project between TPWD and Texas A&M University (circa 1965-1975), was created to address two disease issues; a) low reproduction in Texas pronghorn and b) "circling disease" in white-tailed deer. One of the leading veterinary pathologists on this project was already suspicious that the etiology of "circling disease" was scrapie being transmitted from sheep to deer. During the project's existence, a total of 780 clinically affected animals (601 white-tailed deer, 7 mule deer, 2 elk, and 170 exotic deer and antelope) were collected. Tissues, including brain and lymph nodes, from the collected animals were examined for spongiform histological lesions, and all were found to be negative. Had CWD (a form of TSE, like scrapie) existed in Texas during this time frame, it is probable that these investigations would have detected these classic histological lesions, especially in clinically affected animals. It must be noted, however, that the current laboratory tests used to diagnose CWD were not available during the time the Wildlife Disease Project so it can not be stated with absolute certainty that CWD was not present.
 
 
 
PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE DISEASE IN TEXAS


 
Diseases such as CWD tend to be managed more effectively when efforts are applied before or as the disease emerges, rather than after it becomes established. CWD is an emerging disease. The current number of known infections within private elk and deer breeding facilities varies markedly among states (and Canada) and is increasing steadily with continued and expanding surveillance and investigations. The geographic spread of CWD in free-ranging mule deer, white-tailed deer and elk is a concern. The recent discovery of CWD in free-ranging white-tailed deer in Wisconsin and Illinois, approximately 700 miles east of any previously known infection, and the discovery of several CWD positive mule deer in New Mexico, approximately 35 miles north of the Texas border were well out of the known boundaries of the disease.
 
 
The disease prevalence appears to be increasing in localized areas, although it is not clear whether this is due to increased incidence, or increased surveillance, reporting, and testing. Information from states with direct experience in managing CWD is being used for developing Texas plans as we learn from their experiences.
 
 
TPWD and TAHC are developing stepped up targeted and geographically-focused surveillance plans to monitor free-ranging deer for the presence of the disease and a rapid response plan to guide both TPWD and TAHC should CWD be detected in the State. TPWD and TAHC are also evaluating cervid management laws, rules, and policies for free ranging and scientific breeder permitted cervids under their authority to identify issues and potential weaknesses related to disease management. In these efforts, TPWD and TAHC will work with other agencies and organizations responsible for or are concerned about cervid disease management in an attempt to ensure comprehensive approaches to effective management of CWD risks (see Appendix C: Importation of Susceptible Cervids).
 
TAHC and TPWD have split jurisdictions and regulatory responsibilities, which creates challenges for both agencies (i.e., TAHC responsible for elk, TPWD responsible for white-tailed deer and mule deer). Both agencies will cooperate to resolve issues as they arise.
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPONENTS OF THE PLAN

 
1. Education and information sharing with public, constituents, and other government agency personnel concerning CWD. 2. Ongoing targeted surveillance of clinical deer statewide (i.e., collecting and CWD- testing deer/elk exhibiting symptoms that may be consistent with CWD). 3. Development and implementation of a geographically-focused Monitoring Plan involving the sampling and CWD-testing of hunter-harvested deer. 4. TAHC Rules for Importation of Susceptible Cervids (Appendix C ). 5. Response Plan for CWD should it occur in Texas(Appendix D ). 6. TAHC rules for monitoring for CWD in breeding facilities (Appendix E ). 7. Media Response plan development in the possible event of a positive CWD occurrence (Appendix F ). 8. Advance education of relevant professionals such as resource agency personnel, private wildlife consultants, veterinarians, landowners, wildlife co-ops, taxidermists, and others
 
 
 
 
 
 
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION SHARING
 
 
 
TPWD/TAHC will help educate and share current information with the general public, constituent groups, and other government agency personnel. These efforts will include website updates, distribution of brochures, periodic news releases, public meetings, informational workshops, agency communications and reports. This information will include: 1) basic history and understanding of CWD; 2) its nationwide distribution, and status of knowledge of the disease (e.g., epidemiology, transmission, clinical signs, population effects); 3) other CWD related issues and concerns (e.g., carcass handling and meat consumption, transmission potential to humans and livestock, deer feeding); and 4) management and research actions being taken by TPWD and TAHC. Information may also be designed to focus on specific issues of importance to landowners, hunters, meat processors, taxidermists, deer feeders, veterinarians, rehabilitators, feed companies, feeder manufacturers and operators of captive deer and elk facilities.
 
 
Publication of technical findings of research in peer-reviewed journals and agency reports will be strongly encouraged. The more informed all agencies and the public (including hunters) become, the more effectively CWD risks will be managed in the future.
 
Informing and educating the public, constituents, TPWD and other agency personnel about CWD is essential. Development of informational brochures and leaflets for public and intra-/interagency distribution containing information about CWD being directed toward general public (including hunter) interests and concerns are a necessity. This information will be distributed as follows:
 
 
* Available at all TPWD offices statewide. * Carried by Wildlife Biologists, Game Wardens and Park Peace Officers. * Distributed to potential contact agencies and individuals. * Potential contact agencies/individuals (in alphabetical order) include: o Cooperative Extension Service o Exotic Wildlife Association o Federal Natural resource and land management agencies, NPS, USFWS and USFS o Governors Office, EOC o Military installations o Sportsmen Conservationists of Texas o Texas Ag. Council o Texas Agricultural Extension Service o Texas Animal Health Commission o Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society o Texas Deer Association o Texas Department of Agriculture o Texas Game Warden Association o Texas Grain and Feed Association o Texas Farm Bureau o Texas Taxidermists Association o Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory o Texas Veterinary Medical Association o Texas Wildlife Association o TSCRA (Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association) o TS&GRA o USDA/APHIS o Wildlife rehabilitators
 
 
Should CWD occur it could have a significant adverse economical impact upon landowners, local communities and landowners possessing deer held under authority of Scientific Breeder Permits and elk. Special emphasis would be directed toward informing all constituents that potentially could be affected by the discovery of CWD in the State. These efforts could be accomplished through the completion of a general news packet, video releases, TPWD/TAHC web sites, as well as television and radio news releases, as well as partner publications and information systems.
 
 
Informing and educating TPWD wildlife biologists and law enforcement personnel is also critical, as these individuals will generally be the first lines of information for the public and press. Internal distribution of relevant information in a timely manner will aid TPWD personnel in addressing any CWD concerns from the public or constituent groups. As information is gathered regarding testing or other pertinent data, TPWD should present this information as requested at interagency meetings and professional meetings/symposia. These data should additionally be published peer-reviewed journals or TPWD Technical Reports. In addition, advance education of relevant professionals such as other resource agency personnel, private wildlife consultants, veterinarians, landowners, wildlife co-ops, taxidermists, feed store personnel, and other similar professions who may be contacted by the public and press for comments should be invited to education workshops.
 
 
 
 
 
 
ONGOING TARGETED SURVEILLANCE OF CLINICAL DEER STATEWIDE

 
Collecting CWD clinical-free-ranging cervids began in late summer 2002. The collection of clinical deer has been reported by researchers in other states to be particularly useful in detecting the presence/absence of CWD in local areas statewide. TPWD will continue testing clinical free-ranging deer for CWD as they are encountered. Federal funding through APHIS/USDA may be available and would provide for increased sampling during FY-04 sampling period and beyond.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chronic Wasting Disease Testing
 
 
 
Submitting a Specimen for Testing

 
Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) will provide Immunohistochemistry (IHC) based testing for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), and screening for tuberculosis (TB) in cervids. These tests are available at the College Station and Amarillo Laboratories. Specimens required for testing are the obex of the brain, both retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and both tonsils. If both CWD and TB testing are requested, it is recommended that the entire head be shipped to the lab so each of those specimens can be identified and processed. Antlers should be removed from the head and the head, including a liberal amount of the soft tissue posterior to the pharynx, should be packed in multiple plastic bags to prevent leakage. A completed Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Accession Form

 
or a letter with the name, address and telephone number of the submitter should be enclosed in a separate plastic bag. Specimens must be chilled within 2 hours after kill and should remain chilled during transit. For optimum results, specimens should arrive at the lab within 24 hours after kill. Charges are as follows:

 
Charges for Chronic Wasting Disease Testing Note: There will be a $100.00 additional charge for carcass disposal if an entire carcass is submitted. Brain removal $10.00 IHC test for CWD $30.00 TB Screen $15.00 Head Disposal $15.00 Total $70.00

 
Payment by check or money order must be included with specimens for testing to be completed. Credit Cards are not accepted. Specimens submitted for both CWD and TB screening will require a pre-payment of $65.00 or $50.00 if CWD testing alone is requested. Submission of previously removed obexs must include a $30.00 payment for each test to be completed. Please call 979-845-3414 if you have questions on specimen submittal or charges.

 
Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Accession Form

 
The Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Accession Form media download (PDF 270.3 KB) should be printed and filled out prior to submitting a sample. See instructions above.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SEE MAP OF CWD ON THE BORDER OF NEW MEXICO VERY CLOSE TO TEXAS ;
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NO update on CWD testing in Texas, New Mexico that i could find. I have inquired about it though, no reply yet...
 
 
 
-------- Original Message --------
 
 
Subject: CWD testing to date TEXAS ?
 
Date: Mon, 09 May 2005 12:26:20 –0500
 
 
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."
 
 
 
 
Hello Mrs. Everett,
I am most curious about the current status on CWD testing in Texas. could you please tell me what the current and past testing figures are to date and what geographical locations these tests have been in. good bust on the illegal deer trapping case. keep up the good work there.........
thank you, with kindest regards,
 
 
Terry S. Singeltary Sr. P.O. Box 42 Bacliff, Texas USA 77518
 
 
CJD WATCH
CJD Watch message board
 
 
 
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: CWD testing in New Mexico
Date: Mon, 09 May 2005 14:39:18 –0500
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."
Greetings,
I am most curious of the current and past CWD testing in New Mexico, and there geographical locations...
thank you,
Terry S. Singeltary SR. CJD Watch
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: CWD SURVEILLANCE SAMPLE SUBMISSIONS TEXAS ?
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 15:09:58 –0500
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."
To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
Greetings List members,
as i stated in my previous email;
>> CWD has not been detected in Texas,
> > > SADLY, they have not tested enough from the total population to
> know if CWD is in Texas or not. time will tell though. IF they get serious about finding and documenting CWD in sufficient numbers here in TEXAS, sadly, i am afraid they will find it. ITs already at NM, Texas border, TSEs knows no borders. HOWEVER, with the recent finding of a CNS cow with high potential for BSE/TSE in TEXAS, with one high official over ruling another official that wanted it tested, with the high official winning out and the damn thing goin to render without being tested, head spinal cord and all. THIS weighs heavy on the credibility of any surveillance for any TSE in TEXAS, and speaks a great deal for the over all surveillance of TSE in the USA...TSS
SO, i thought i would just see where these Ecoregions were, and just how the CWD testing was distributed. YOU would think that with the cluster of CWD bordering TEXAS at the WPMR in NM, you would have thought this would be where the major CWD testing samples were to have been taken? wrong! let's have a look at the sample testing. here is map of CWD in NM WPMR bordering TEXAS;
NEW MEXICO 7 POSITIVE CWD WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE MAP
 
 
NEXT, let's have a look at the overall distribution of CWD in Free-Ranging Cervids and see where the CWD cluster in NM WSMR borders TEXAS;
 
Current Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in Free-Ranging Cervids
 
 
 
 
NOW, the MAP of the Exoregion where the samples were taken to test for CWD;
CWD SURVEILLANCE SAMPLE SUBMISSIONS TEXAS
 
 
Ecoregions of TEXAS

 
IF you look at the area around the NM WSMR where the CWD cluster was and where it borders TEXAS, that ecoregion is called Trans Pecos region. Seems if my Geography and my Ciphering is correct ;-) that region only tested 55% of it's goal. THE most important area on the MAP and they only test some 96 samples, this in an area that has found some 7 positive animals? NOW if we look at the only other border where these deer from NM could cross the border into TEXAS, this area is called the High Plains ecoregion, and again, we find that the sampling for CWD was pathetic. HERE we find that only 9% of it's goal of CWD sampling was met, only 16 samples were tested from some 175 that were suppose to be sampled.
AS i said before;
> SADLY, they have not tested enough from the total population to know if CWD is in Texas or not.
 
 
 
BUT now, I will go one step further and state categorically that they are not trying to find it. just the opposite it seems, they are waiting for CWD to find them, as with BSE/TSE in cattle, and it will eventually...

 
TSS
TSS REPORT ON 2ND TEJAS MAD COW Mon, 22 Nov 2004 17:12:15 -0600 (the one that did NOT get away, thanks to the Honorable Phyllis Fong)
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: BSE 'INCONCLUSIVE' COW from TEXAS ???
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 17:12:15 –0600
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."
To: Carla Everett References: <419e14e2 .5040104=".5040104" wt.net="wt.net"> 6.0.0.22.2.20041119113601.02682730@tahc.state.tx. us
Greetings Carla,still hear a rumor;
Texas single beef cow not born in Canada no beef entered the food chain?
and i see the TEXAS department of animal health is ramping up for something, but they forgot a url for update? I HAVE NO ACTUAL CONFIRMATION YET...can you confirm??? terry
==============================
==============================
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: BSE 'INCONCLUSIVE' COW from TEXAS ???
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 11:38:21 –0600
From: Carla Everett
To: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr." References: 419E14E2.5040104@wt.net
The USDA has made a statement, and we are referring all callers to the USDA web site. We have no information about the animal being in Texas. Carla
At 09:44 AM 11/19/2004,
you wrote:
>Greetings Carla,
>> i am getting unsubstantiated claims of this BSE 'inconclusive' cow is from TEXAS. can you comment on this either way please?
>>thank you,
>Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
>>
===================
===================
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: BSE 'INCONCLUSIVE' COW from TEXAS ???
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 18:33:20 –0600
From: Carla Everett
To: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."
References: <419e14e2 .5040104=".5040104" wt.net="wt.net"> <6 .0.0.22.2.20041119113601.02682730=".0.0.22.2.20041119113601.02682730" tahc.state.tx.="tahc.state.tx." us="us"> <41a2724f .3000901=".3000901" wt.net="wt.net"> <6 .0.0.22.2.20041122174504.02796d38=".0.0.22.2.20041122174504.02796d38" tahc.state.tx.="tahc.state.tx." us="us"> 41A27EBC.4050700@wt.net
our computer department was working on a place holder we could post USDA's announcement of any results. There are no results to be announced tonight by NVSL, so we are back in a waiting mode and will post the USDA announcement when we hear something.
At 06:05 PM 11/22/2004, you wrote:
>why was the announcement on your TAHC site removed?
>>Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy:
>November 22: Press Release title here
>>star image More BSE information
>>>>terry
>>Carla Everett wrote:
>>>no confirmation on the U.S.' inconclusive test...
>>no confirmation on location of animal.
==========================
==========================
THEN, 7+ MONTHS OF COVER-UP BY JOHANN ET AL! no doubt about it now $$$
NO, it's not pretty, hell, im not pretty, but these are the facts, take em or leave em, however, you cannot change them.
with kindest regards,
I am still sincerely disgusted and tired in sunny Bacliff, Texas USA 77518
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
FULL 130 LASHINGS TO USDA BY OIG again
Link: TSS
TAHC CWD page as of December 23, 2006
Chronic Wasting Disease ("CWD") TAHC Information Resources: CWD Fact Sheet (July 2002) Recommendations for Disposing of Taxidermy and Processing Waste from Deer(June 2005) USDA CWD Maps March 2006 — Current Distribution of CWD TAHC CWD Monitoring Program Information CWD Sample Submission and Costs 2006 Factsheet For Producers Enrolling in the Complete Herd Monitoring Program Press Releases: November 28, 2005 Elk May Blaze the Animal ID Trail in Texas September 2002 New Entry Regulations in Effect; Texas Borders Reopened for Importing Black-Tailed Deer & Elk July 2002 Texas Surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease March 2002 Texas Suspends Importation of Elk and Several Species of Deer to Protect Against Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) November 2001 Texas "Fences Out" Colorado Deer and Elk
Information Links: Code of Federal Regulations: CWD Herd Certification Program and Interstate Movement of Farmed or Captive Deer, Elk, and Moose; Final Rule Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Frequently Asked Questions on Chronic Wasting Disease Monitoring USDA - APHIS CWD Page USDA - APHIS - VS CWD Page USGS National Wildlife Health Center Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study DeerAuction.com Chronic Wasting Disease Page Nebraska Game and Parks: Chronic Wasting Disease Info and Education Center Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: CWD & Wisconsin Deer Wyoming Game and Fish Department: Chronic Wasting Disease Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) of Deer and Elk
********************************************************
 
 
 
THREE NEW CASES OF CWD were announced in this same location this month ;.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 7, 2006:.
3 SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO DEER TEST POSITIVE FOR ...
 
 
 
 
IF we could only put up the imaginary fence that seems to work so well per TAHC keeping these deer and elk from coming into TEXAS from New Mexico with CWD, if we could just use the same one for the illegal aliens, we would same a bunch of money, and it probably would works just as bad as the one that's there now, or NOT. ...TSS
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy update
Subject: Cross-sequence transmission of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease creates a new prion strain
Date: August 25, 2007 at 12:42 pm PST
snip...
In this study, the strain-dependent traits of sCJDMM1 prions were inherited through cross-sequence transmission without any modification. The humanized mice with 129V/V produced type 1 PrPres after inoculation with sCJD-MM1 prions. Because sCJD-VV1 cases are extremely rare (at most 1-2% of the total number of sCJD cases) and characterized by early onset (mean age at onset: 39.3 years) (5),
####################################
our results raise the possibility that CJD cases classified as VV1 may include cases caused by iatrogenic transmission of sCJD-MM1 prions or food-borne infection by type 1 prions from animals, e.g., chronic wasting disease prions in cervid. In fact, two CJD-VV1 patients who hunted deer or consumed venison have been reported (40, 41). The results of the present study emphasize the need for traceback studies and careful re-examination of the biochemical properties of sCJD-VV1 prions.
###################################
In conclusion, cross-sequence transmission of sCJD-VV2 prions generates a new prion strain with altered conformational properties and disease phenotypes as p-dCJD prions. Furthermore, the newly generated prions have unique transmissibility including the traceback phenomenon. In the future, if atypical prion strains emerge through cross-sequence transmission, especially from animals, traceback studies will enable us to identify the origin of the prions.
REFERENCES...snip...end
FULL TEXT ;
Re: Colorado Surveillance Program for Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission to Humans (TWO SUSPECT CASES)
snip...full text ;
CWD experts address first meeting of advisory committee
PART 2
TSS
Published Date: 2005-12-14 23:50:00


Subject: PRO/AH> Chronic wasting disease, cervids - USA (NM) (02)

Archive Number: 20051214.3593



CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, CERVIDS - USA (NEW MEXICO) (02)


********************************************************

A ProMED-mail post
<



ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<

Sponsored in part by Elsevier, publisher of
Infectious Disease Gateway Alert
<
http://thelancet.url123.com/anbs3>




Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 11:53:52 –0600

From: Terry S Singeltary Sr <



Source: NM Press Release, 9 Dec 2005 [edited]

<




2 elk killed in the southern Sacramento Mountains of south east New Mexico have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), the Department of Game and Fish announced. The animals were the first elk in New Mexico to test positive for CWD since the disease was first discovered in mule deer in 2002. Both CWD-afflicted elk were killed in an area 10 to 15 miles southeast of Cloudcroft in Game Management Unit 34, the same general area where the state's most recent case of CWD was detected in a mule deer. One of the elk -- a mature male -- was taken on 3 Oct 2005 by a hunter and showed no symptoms of the disease. The other elk -- a yearling female -- was in very poor condition and unable to stand when a Department of Game and Fish conservation officer found it 1 Oct 2005. Testing and verification of the samples required about 2 months. Future testing is expected to occur more quickly as the Department of Game and Fish and the Veterinary Diagnostic Services in the New Mexico Department of Agriculture further implement recently achieved in-state CWD testing capabilities. "The range in which the disease is found appears to be expanding, so finding it in more animals in that area is not surprising," said Kerry Mower, the department's lead wildlife disease biologist. "But it is disappointing to find our first cases of CWD in free-ranging elk." Brain stem samples from the 2 elk were among more than 100 taken from deer and elk in Unit 34 this year and sent to the Veterinary Diagnostic Services Laboratory in Albuquerque. The Albuquerque laboratory's "presumptive positive" samples from the 2 elk were confirmed as CWD-positive by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. "We will continue our efforts to monitor the disease by actively testing animals in Units 34 and 19," Mower said. "We also encourage all hunters statewide to submit their animals for testing." The department personally informs hunters if the tests are positive. Hunters will be able to see the complete list of test results as they become available on the department website: <



http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us>. This season, hunters who kill animals in a "control area" of Unit 34 are required to submit their animals for testing and observe special regulations affecting which body parts of a deer or elk can be removed from the unit. Hunting seasons continue in that area into January. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological illness that afflicts deer, elk and moose. There is no evidence of CWD being transmitted to humans or livestock. The disease causes animals to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior, and lose control of bodily functions. To date, it has been found in captive and wild deer, elk, and moose in 8 states and 2 Canadian provinces. The origin of CWD in New Mexico is unknown. It has been found in 12 wild deer and 2 wild elk since 2002, when the disease was first discovered east of Las Cruces. All of the CWD-positive deer and elk in New Mexico were from the southern Sacramento Mountains southeast of Cloudcroft and areas surrounding the Organ Mountains near Las Cruces. For more information about CWD in New Mexico, including special regulations and how hunters can assist in research and prevention, visit <http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us>. More information about CWD also can be found on the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance site at <http://www.cwd-info.org> or on the Colorado Division of Wildlife site at <http://wildlife.state.co.us> CWD control map New Mexico (30 Aug 2005) <http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/documents/cwdcontrolmap.pdf>.


 
-- Terry S Singeltary <flounder9@verizon.net> [A clearer map but only up to July 2004, is at
Published Date: 2005-06-28 23:50:00



Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Chronic wasting disease, cervids - USA (NM)

Archive Number: 20050628.1827


CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, CERVIDS - USA (NEW MEXICO)


***************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<



ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<


Date: 24 Jun 2005


From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. <



Source: New Mexico Wildlife News, Mon, 27 Jun 2005 [edited]

<




2 Mule Deer Test Positive For Chronic Wasting Disease

---------------------------------------------------

2 mule deer captured in the Organ Mountains as part of an ongoing research project near White Sands Missile Range have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease that attacks the brains of infected deer and elk, the Department of Game and Fish announced.

The number of confirmed CWD cases in New Mexico now stands at 11 since 2002, when the disease was first confirmed in a deer found near the eastern foothills of the Organ Mountains. All 11 CWD-infected deer were found in the same general area of southern New Mexico. The origin of the disease in New Mexico remains unknown. The carcasses of the infected deer will be incinerated, said Kerry Mower, the Department's lead wildlife disease biologist.

Mower said the most recent CWD-positive deer showed no obvious physical signs of having the disease. They were captured in April 2005 and tested as part of a 3-year-old research project studying deer population dynamics in southern New Mexico. More than 140 deer have been captured alive and tested for the study, in which researchers hope to find the cause of a 10-year decline in the area deer population. Study participants include the Department of Game and Fish, the U.S. Army at White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Geological Survey at New Mexico State University, and San Andres National Wildlife Refuge.

Hunters can assist the Department in its CWD research and prevention efforts by bringing their fresh, legally harvested deer or elk head to an area office, where officers will remove the brain stem for testing. Participants will be eligible for drawings for an oryx hunt on White Sands Missile Range and a trophy elk hunt on the Valle Vidal. For more information about the drawing and chronic wasting disease, visit the Department web site at <




 

See map: <



-- ProMED-mail <




[Members are strongly encouraged to view the NM CWD map at the URL below. In 2004 they tested 997 deer, each shown. These recent deer are clustered with the others just to the east of Las Cruces in southern New Mexico. The absence of cases elsewhere in the state at this level of surveillance increases one's confidence in the reality of this specific high-risk area. The origin of their infection is still obscure.

The New Mexico CWD website is:
<



 
Unfortunately, other than their admirable map, they have not been updated since 14 Jun 2004.

 
The site being close to Texas and to Mexico has spawned speculation, but as yet without foundation. In the past 3 years Texas has tested some 9103 deer out of a target population estimate of 3 917 926, all negative. For details of the Texas Chronic Wasting Management Plan,


 
go to:

<http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hunt/chronic_wasting_disease/management_plan/#summary> or the Texas Animal Health Commission CWD website:
 
 
 
 
Subject: NEW MEXICO DEER TESTS POSITIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
 
 
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr." flounder@WT.NET
 
Reply-To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy BSE-L@UNI-KARLSRUHE.DE
 
Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 20:56:33 -0700 Content-Type: text/plain Parts/Attachments: text/plain (133 lines)



Reply




######## Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy #########
 
PRESS RELEASE
19 JUNE 2002
EDITORS: Department of Game and Fish news releases and fishing reports are now available on the Department of Game and Fish web site. The internet address is http://www.gmfsh.state.nm.us/
NEW MEXICO DEER TESTS POSITIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
CIMARRON CANYON REOPENS; WILDLIFE AREA REMAINS CLOSED
NEW MEXICO DEER TESTS POSITIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
SANTA FE, N.M. - A mule deer collected from the White Sands Missile Range has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease and the director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish declared an Animal Health Emergency Tuesday, closing the state to any importation of deer or elk.
Director Larry Bell said the positive test was confirmed Monday, June 17, by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory. This is the first positive test for CWD in the state of New Mexico.
The disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), a neurological disease that is always fatal to deer and elk. It has been found in free-ranging deer and elk in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Wisconsin, South Dakota and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
CWD has been more commonly found on or near game farms, although there are no such facilities near White Sands Missile Range.
"We are closing the borders to the importation of cervids because Chronic Wasting Disease has been identified here and we want to isolate it and prevent its spread," Director Bell said. Game ranches have been identified as a source of CWD and now that the disease has been discovered here, the state must take all steps to prevent any additional outbreaks or infection.
"New Mexico and all other states are trying to find ways to shore up their importation regulations as we search for a means of managing and preventing CWD," Bell said. Other states that have banned or restricted the importation of deer species include: North Carolina, Michigan, Vermont, Tennessee, Texas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, New York, Colorado, Arizona and the province of Alberta.
Although Tuesday's actions only restrict the importation of live deer and elk, Bell said the state soon may be discussing regulations to restrict the importation of sport-harvested deer and elk. There are no known cases of CWD infecting humans or livestock, although New Mexico and other states do encourage hunters to follow precautions when handling dead game.
Kerry Mower, a wildlife disease specialist for the Department, said this case will shake the world's current understanding of Chronic Wasting Disease because it is so far away from game farms and other accepted avenues of CWD transmission.
"We do not know how CWD was transported to the White Sands area," Mower said. "There are no game farms down there and it is far from the endemic areas of Colorado and Wyoming. But this does illustrate how little we know about the spread of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies."
The disease is found most commonly in neurological tissues - brains, spinal cords, eyes, lymph nodes - of infected animals. New Mexico, like other states, has been testing the brain stems of deer and elk for several hunting seasons, trying to determine if CWD was present. The brain samples must be taken within 48 hours of the animal's death. The diseased deer was collected March 28 by White Sands Missile Range game wardens. The shortage of CWD testing facilities nationwide and the number of states submitting samples accounted for the delay in receiving results.
Infected animals become emaciated, drink water to an excessive degree and lose control of bodily functions including balance.
"This deer was just skin covering a rack of bones," Mower said. The Department will initiate sampling of more deer as soon as possible to determine the range and extent of infection. Even though CWD is not known to occur outside the deer family, the Department will begin testing some oryx on White Sands. "We are immediately prepared to deal with a hundred or more samples," Mower said.
The Department already has submitted 140 samples for testing this fiscal year.
It is difficult, although not impossible, for TSEs to jump from one species to another. There is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans or livestock, but as a precaution the Department of Game and Fish does advise hunters to not consume any neural tissue of animals they kill and to wear latex gloves when field dressing dead animals.
There are no practical or proven tests to determine if CWD is present in living wild animals. Portions of each brain stem must be removed and examined under a microscope, although a test of deer tonsils is being developed. It would be impossible, however, to adequately capture and extract tonsil tissue from New Mexico's statewide deer population.
In infected animals, microscopic lesions appear in infected brain tissue. Either a loss of neurons in the brain or the accumulation of proteinaceous, infectious particles, or prions, cause the lesions. Prions are believed to be the cause of TSEs.
Chronic Wasting Disease is the name for this disease when it occurs in deer and elk, but other species suffer similar maladies. The TSE in domestic sheep is called scrapie and it's bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) in cattle. This type of disease has several names when it occurs in humans: Creuzfeldt-Jakob Disease, kuru, new variant CJD, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome and fatal familial insomnia.
The Department will continue to sample the heads of deer and elk killed during the coming fall hunting seasons. As an incentive for hunters to cooperate, those who submit heads within the 48-hour period will be entered in a drawing for oryx and Valle Vidal elk hunting authorizations. In addition, the agency is developing an action plan for dealing with CWD, although at this point Director Bell does not anticipate the killing of thousands of animals as other states are doing.
"I am, however, prepared to take any action necessary to protect the state's resources from the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease," he said.
For more information about Chronic Wasting Disease, call Kerry Mower at (505) 476-8080.
#
TSS
2001 - 2002
TEXAS OLD STATISTICS BELOW FOR PAST CWD TESTING;
Subject: CWD testing in Texas
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 19:45:14 –0500
From: Kenneth Waldrup
To: flounder@wt.net
CC: mcoats@tahc.state.tx.us
Dear Dr. Singletary,
In Fiscal Year 2001, seven deer from Texas were tested by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for CWD (5 fallow deer and 2 white-tailed deer). In Fiscal Year 2002, seven elk from Texas were tested at NVSL (no deer). During these two years, an additional six elk and one white-tailed deer were tested at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). In Fiscal Year 2002, four white-tailed deer (free-ranging clinical suspects) and at least eight other white-tailed deer have been tested at TVMDL. One elk has been tested at NVSL. All of these animals have been found negative for CWD. Dr. Jerry Cooke of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also has records of 601 clinically ill white-tailed deer which were necropsied at Texas A&M during the late 1960's and early 1970's, and no spongiform encepalopathies were noted.
Thank you for your consideration.
Ken Waldrup, DVM, PhD Texas Animal Health Commission
========================
TEXAS CWD STATUS
Captive Cervids
There have been no reported CWD infections of captive elk or deer in Texas. There is currently no mandatory surveillance program for susceptible cervids kept on game farms, although, there has been voluntary surveillance since 1999, which requires owners of participating herds to maintain an annual herd inventory and submit samples for all mortalities of animals over 16 months of age.
snip...
SO, i thought i would just see where these Ecoregions were, and just how the CWD testing was distributed. YOU would think that with the cluster of CWD bordering TEXAS at the WPMR in NM, you would have thought this would be where the major CWD testing samples were to have been taken? wrong! let's have a look at the sample testing. here is map of CWD in NM WPMR bordering TEXAS;
NEW MEXICO 7 POSITIVE CWD WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE MAP
NEXT, let's have a look at the overall distribution of CWD in Free-Ranging Cervids and see where the CWD cluster in NM WSMR borders TEXAS;
Current Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in Free-Ranging Cervids
NOW, the MAP of the Exoregion where the samples were taken to test for CWD;
CWD SURVEILLANCE SAMPLE SUBMISSIONS TEXAS
Ecoregions of TEXAS
IF you look at the area around the NM WSMR where the CWD cluster was and where it borders TEXAS, that ecoregion is called Trans Pecos region. Seems if my Geography and my Ciphering is correct ;-) that region only tested 55% of it's goal. THE most important area on the MAP and they only test some 96 samples, this in an area that has found some 7 positive animals? NOW if we look at the only other border where these deer from NM could cross the border into TEXAS, this area is called the High Plains ecoregion, and again, we find that the sampling for CWD was pathetic. HERE we find that only 9% of it's goal of CWD sampling was met, only 16 samples were tested from some 175 that were suppose to be sampled.
AS i said before;
> SADLY, they have not tested enough from the total population to
> know if CWD is in Texas or not.
BUT now, I will go one step further and state categorically that they are not trying to find it. just the opposite it seems, they are waiting for CWD to find them, as with BSE/TSE in cattle, and it will eventually...
snip...see full text ;
===========================================================
2012
 
 
 
Friday, November 09, 2012
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD in cervidae and transmission to other species
 
 
 
Friday, November 16, 2012
Yellowstone elk herds feeding grounds, or future killing grounds from CWD
 
 
 
Monday, November 26, 2012
Rapid Transepithelial Transport of Prions following Inhalation
 
 
 
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Chronic wasting disease on the Canadian prairies
 
 
 
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wyoming Elk Hunt Area 10 Added to CWD List
 
 
 
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
IOWA DNR to increase number of deer tissue samples as part of Surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease
 
 
 
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Pennsylvania ‘Pink 23’ Adams County exposed CWD Escaped Deer shot, but where are the other escapees ?
 
 
 
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
PENNSYLVANIA 2012 THE GREAT ESCAPE OF CWD INVESTIGATION MOVES INTO LOUISIANA and INDIANA
 
 
 
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
North Carolina commission sets up task force on deer farming
 
 
 
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
ILLINOIS CWD UPDATE NOVEMBER 2012
 
 
 
Monday, October 08, 2012
VDGIF has discovered four positive cases of CWD in Virginia Updated 9/24/2012
 
 
 
Saturday, October 6, 2012
TRANSMISSION, DIFFERENTIATION, AND PATHOBIOLOGY OF TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIES 2011 Annual Report
 
 
 
 
Friday, September 28, 2012
Stray elk renews concerns about deer farm security Minnesota
 
 
 
 
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Missouri MDC seeks hunters’ help when processing harvested deer and preventing CWD
 
 
 
 
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Captive Deer Breeding Legislation Overwhelmingly Defeated During 2012 Legislative Session
 
 
 
 
Saturday, September 01, 2012
Resistance of Soil-Bound Prions to Rumen Digestion
 
 
 
 
Friday, August 31, 2012
COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK and CWD 2009-2012 a review
 
 
 
 
Friday, August 24, 2012
Diagnostic accuracy of rectal mucosa biopsy testing for chronic wasting disease within white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herds in North America
The overall diagnostic specificity was 99.8%. Selective use of antemortem rectal biopsy sample testing would provide valuable information during disease investigations of CWD-suspect deer herds.
 
 
 
TSS