TEXAS CWD UPDATE AND MANDATORY CWD CHECK STATION LOCATIONS Nov. 23 – Dec. 10; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
From:
Terry S.
Singeltary Sr.
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)
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
To: BSE-L@aegee.org
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
To: BSE-L@aegee.org
##################### 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
To: flounder@wt.net
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."
To: ispa@state.nm.us
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>
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>.
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:
<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 #########
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
########### http://mailhost.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/warc/bse-l.html
############
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
posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at
1:01 PM
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