IOWA DNR to increase number of deer tissue samples as part of Surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease
DNR to increase number of deer tissue samples as part of Surveillance for
Chronic Wasting Disease
For a decade, DNR wildlife workers and other volunteers have combed the
countryside during Iowa’s shotgun deer seasons; collecting samples to test for
the deadly Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). That effort will expand this year, to
concentrate on portions of Wapello, Davis, Pottawattamie and Cerro Gordo
counties, following positive tests from deer in hunting preserves and breeding
facilities there this summer and fall.
“We will do some added surveillance of free ranging deer here (Davis,
Wapello counties), in Pottawattamie County and in eastern Iowa, too,” outlined
Dr. Dale Garner, DNR wildlife bureau chief at a November meeting with landowners
and hunters in Bloomfield.
Iowa’s first positive CWD test was confirmed this year; from a buck taken
at a shooting preserve just north of Bloomfield.
Many of the samples will be collected during the first half of December,
as more than 120,000 hunters take part in Iowa’s shotgun deer seasons.
“Our goal is to obtain 300 samples from a five mile radius around the
facility. We will also obtain another 200 between Bloomfield and Ottumwa; as
well as added samples from Jefferson, Van Buren and Monroe counties,” outlined
district DNR wildlife supervisor Bill Ohde, noting they need to know the section
from which the deer was harvested, also. “We want adult animals. We will not cut
into a trophy buck that is to be mounted.”
Sampling—which involves removing and testing the brain stem and lymph
nodes--has been done on free ranging deer across Iowa for years. That attention
has been heaviest in northeast Iowa, after Wisconsin and Illinois yielded
positive cases in recent years. Sampling there will continue at a slightly lower
intensity, to accommodate the additional testing in Davis and Wapello Counties.
Since 2002, samples have been taken from 42,557 wild deer in Iowa; with no
positive CWD result and from 2,630 animals from hunting preserves, before the
positives were returned this year.
Most samples are obtained by wildlife staff, checking with hunters in the
field or at home processing points. Others are obtained at meat lockers. In a
few instances, sampling is done at pre-announced stations. One will be at Lake
Wapello State Park on Dec. 1 and 2, from noon to 6 p.m. Hunters may contact Jeff
Glaw (641-799-0793) or Bill Ohde (319-591-1244) for information about the
station or if they harvest an adult deer in Davis or Wapello counties.
“We are hopeful CWD has not spread. The only way to know this is to
collect samples and do the testing. We will work through all hunting seasons;
with the peak being the shotgun seasons in December,” said Garner.
Anyone observing a sick deer is asked to contact their local conservation
officer or a wildlife biologist, so that a sample can be obtained.
There are links on the Iowa DNR website to explain CWD, the Iowa response
plan, now that it has shown up in the state, and other information on infectious
disease. The direct link is
Media Contact: Willie Suchy, Wildlife Research Supervisor, Iowa Department
of Natural Resources, 515-281-8660.
-30-
Friday, July 20, 2012
CWD found for first time in Iowa at hunting preserve
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Additional Facility in Pottawatamie County Iowa Under Quarantine for CWD
after 5 deer test positive
Friday, September 21, 2012
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD raises concerns about deer farms in Iowa
TSS
posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at
12:53 PM
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