PROCEEDINGS ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING of the UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION September 29 – October 5, 2011
2012 RESOLUTIONS
INTERIM RESPONSE:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, Veterinary Services (VS) recognizes the concerns of the United States
Animal Health Association regarding chronic wasting disease (CWD) and
appreciates the opportunity to respond. In fiscal year 2012, the congressional
appropriation for the CWD program was reduced to approximately $1.9 million;
further reductions are expected for fiscal year 2013 pending congressional
budget approval. Consequently, VS no longer has funds to pay
UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
2012 Resolution
___________________________________________________________________________
indemnity for CWD positive, suspect, or exposed farmed cervids. VS has
directed remaining program funds to the administrative costs associated with
implementation of the national CWD herd certification program and will continue
to advise States on development of herd plans to manage CWD affected herds.
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CONTROL BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
It has been stated by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services that (1) the goal of
the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) program in the United States has now changed
from eradication to controlling its spread, (2) there is no longer federal
funding available to pay for CWD testing or to pay indemnity for CWD infected or
exposed animals, and (3) depopulation of infected herds will no longer be
required or expected.
With this major change in objectives, it is critical that we change the way
we implement the CWD program in the United States. We now need a program that
minimizes the risk of spreading CWD in farmed and wild cervidae without putting
farmed cervidae producers out of business if their herds become CWD infected or
exposed. We need a CWD control program that includes plans for how to (1) handle
infected or exposed herds, (2) clean up infected herds without depopulation, and
(3) provide outlets so producers can continue to sell velvet antler and live
animals to slaughter or specified terminal facilities.
RESOLUTION:
The United States Animal Health Association urges the United States
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Veterinary Services and state animal health regulatory officials to develop
protocols for the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) control program that mitigate
the risk of the spread of CWD and allow producers with CWD infected or exposed
herds to continue operations under quarantine and which allow (1) addition of
cervidae from CWD certified herds, (2) participation in herd plans such as test
and removal, and (3) movement of velvet antler and live animals to slaughter or
other approved terminal facilities.
UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
2012 Resolution
___________________________________________________________________________
INTERIM RESPONSE:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, Veterinary Services (VS) recognizes the concerns of the United States
Animal Health Association and appreciates the opportunity to respond. In
conjunction with the publication of the chronic wasting disease (CWD) final rule
in June 2012, VS prepared a set of program standards governing the voluntary
national herd certification program. The standards provide further explanation
and guidance on how participating States and cervid owners can meet the program
requirements to certify herds as low risk for CWD.
The standards are divided into two parts. Part A covers herd certification
program participation requirements; registration, identification, and
recordkeeping; surveillance and sampling; and diagnostics and testing. It also
describes the requirements for interstate movement of cervids in accordance with
the rule. Part B provides guidance to States for responding to findings of CWD
in farmed cervids, in accordance with the national CWD herd certification
program. This section also provides suggested best management practices that may
be used by States and by herd owners to investigate and manage CWD-affected
herds, including development of herd plans and factors affecting continuity of
business.
VS will continue to serve in an advisory capacity to assist States and herd
owners with these mitigation efforts.
VS has convened a working group to review the program standards (see
Resolution 24).
UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
2012 Resolution
116th Annual Meeting
October 18-24, 2012 ~ Greensboro, NC
_________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 21 APPROVED AS AMENDED
SOURCE: COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK
SUBJECT MATTER: FUNDING FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE TESTING
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The requirements for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) herd certification (9
CFR 55) and for interstate movement of farmed cervidae (9 CFR 81) specify that
all farmed cervidae greater than 12 months of age that die or are slaughtered
must be tested for CWD.
The CWD testing protocol that is recommended for farmed cervidae is the
immunohistochemistry test using formalin fixed samples of brain stem or a
retropharyngeal lymph node. The test on either of these tissues is highly
sensitive and specific for detecting the presence of CWD prion. The test costs
at least $25.00 per slide to perform at United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) approved laboratories.
In the past, USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary
Services has provided funding to pay for CWD testing of wild and farmed cervids
in the United States. Federal funding for this purpose is no longer available
and farmed cervidae producers in most states must pay the entire cost for
required CWD tests. Without federal funding for CWD testing, producer compliance
with program requirements is likely to decrease. Without producer support, the
program to control the spread of CWD in the United States may become less
effective.
Funding for CWD testing was requested and approved in United States Animal
Health Association 2011 resolution number 14.
RESOLUTION:
The United States Animal Health Association urges Congress to appropriate
federal funding to pay the laboratory costs of testing farmed and wild cervidae
for Chronic Wasting Disease.
UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
2012 Resolution
___________________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 24 APPROVED
SOURCE: COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK
SUBJECT MATTER: CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE PROGRAM STANDARDS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
It has been stated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS)
that the goal of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) program in the United States
has now changed from eradication to controlling its spread.
The document entitled, "Chronic Wasting Disease Program Standards" was
published by USDA-APHIS-VS in July 2012. It was developed before the shift of
the CWD program from eradication to control and without adequate input from
state wildlife and animal health officials or farmed cervidae producers.
Sections of the document suggest placing restrictions on farmed cervidae
producers that do nothing to further the effort to control the spread of CWD.
The restrictions are not based on current scientific knowledge and could
undermine the success of CWD control programs that have been in place in many
states for more than a decade.
RESOLUTION:
The United States Animal Health Association urges the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) to revise the document entitled, "Chronic
Wasting Disease Program Standards", and establish a Chronic Wasting Disease
(CWD) Program Standards Committee to review and rewrite the document within 90
days so that it more appropriately reflects the needs of producers and
regulatory officials charged with implementation of a program to control, not
eradicate, CWD in the United States.
The United States Animal Health Association suggests that the CWD Program
Standards Committee should be made up of representatives from and appointed by
each of the following organizations: (1) the Exotic Wildlife Association, (2)
the North American Elk Breeders Association, (3) the North American Deer Farmers
Association, (4) the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, (5) the National
Assembly of State Animal Health Officials, and (6) the USDA-APHIS-VS. UNITED
STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
2012 Resolution
___________________________________________________________________________
INTERIM RESPONSE:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, Veterinary Services (VS) recognizes the concerns of the United States
Animal Health Association (USAHA) and appreciates the opportunity to respond. To
address a number of concerns voiced at the 2012 USAHA meeting, VS established a
CWD Program Standards Working Group. The goal of the working group is to discuss
stakeholder concerns with the CWD program standards and to recommend revisions
as necessary. The group is composed of three representatives each from the
National Assembly, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the cervid
industry; two representatives from the American Association of Veterinary
Laboratory Diagnosticians; and experts from VS.
The working group first met on November 28, 2012, and continues to have
weekly teleconferences. We expect revisions to the program standards to be
completed by the first week of March. The revised program standards will then be
made available for public comment through a notice in the Federal Register.
PROCEEDINGS ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING of the UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION Adam’s Mark Buffalo Hotel Buffalo, New York September 29 – October 5, 2011
snip...
USDA-APHIS-VS Chronic Wasting Disease National Program Patrice N. Klein of
USDA APHIS VS – National Center for Animal Health Programs provided an update on
the agency’s CWD–related activities: CWD Rule Update: The amended final rule on
chronic wasting disease (CWD) is currently in departmental clearance. The rule
will set minimum standards for interstate movement and establish the national
voluntary Herd Certification Program (HCP).
Farmed/captive cervid surveillance testing: Through FY2010, VS conducted
surveillance testing on approximately 20,000 farmed /captive cervids by the
immunohistochemistry (IHC) standard protocol. As of Sept. 15, 2011,
approximately 19,000 farmed /captive cervids were tested by IHC for CWD with
funding to cover lab costs provided through NVSL. Farmed/captive cervid CWD
status: The CWD positive captive whitetailed deer (WTD) herd reported in
Missouri (February 2010) was indemnified and depopulation activities were
completed in June 2011. All depopulated animals were tested for CWD, and no
additional CWD positive animals were found.
In FY 2011, CWD was reported in two captive elk herds in Nebraska (December
2010 and April 2011). To date, 52 farmed/captive cervid herds have been
identified in 11 states: Colorado, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Montana, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Thirty-nine
were elk herds and 13 were WTD herds. At this time, eight CWD positive herds
remain: six elk herds in Colorado and the two elk herds in Nebraska.
Wild Cervid surveillance: In FY 2009 funding supported surveillance in
approximately 74,330 wild cervids in 47 cooperating States. Wild cervid CWD
surveillance totals are pending for fiscal year 2010 (2010-2011 calendar year)
due to seasonal surveillance activities and completion of final cooperative
agreement reporting to APHIS.
In fiscal year 2011, there are 15 ‘tier 1’ States, 20 ‘tier 2’ States, and
15 ‘tier 3’ States. Two new ‘tier 1’ States, Minnesota and Maryland, were added
in fiscal year 2011 based on the new CWD detections in a free-ranging
white-tailed deer in southeastern Minnesota and in western Maryland.
Consequently, Delaware was upgraded to ‘tier 2’ status as an adjacent State to
Maryland. For FY 2011, 45 States and 32 Tribes will receive cooperative
agreement funds to complete wild cervid surveillance and other approved work
plan activities. Based on FY 2012 projected budget reductions, future
cooperative agreement funds will be eliminated.
APHIS CWD Funding: In FY 2011, APHIS received approximately $15.8 million
in appropriated funding for the CWD Program. The President’s FY 2012 budget
proposes to reduce program funding for CWD by $13.9 million, REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE
188
leaving the program with a request of $1.925 million to provide some level
of Federal coordination for the national herd certification program (HCP).
Consequently, APHIS is planning to amend its role in the program to one of
Federal coordination. Based on the projected FY 2012 budget, funding for CWD
cooperative agreements and indemnity funding for States and Tribes will be
eliminated. Under this scenario, the States or cervid industry producers will
likely be responsible for the costs of surveillance testing and indemnity for
appraisal, depopulation, and disposal of CWD-positive animals. Commodity Health
Line Structure: In the FY 2012 budget, livestock commodities regulated by USDA
have been organized into “Commodity Health Line” structures or groupings. APHIS’
Equine, Cervid and Small Ruminant (ECSR) Health line supports efforts to protect
the health and thereby improve the quality and productivity of the equine,
cervid and small ruminant industries. Activities supported by the ECSR Health
Line range from monitoring and surveillance to investigation and response
actions undertaken when health issues relevant to the industry are identified.
APHIS also maintains regulations and program standards which guide ECSR
activities at both the Federal and State/Tribal level.
The ECSR Health line funds essential activities necessary to maintain
current ECSR surveillance and program operations while providing the flexibility
to respond to new and emerging industry-specific health concerns. APHIS’ current
activities include Scrapie, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Slaughter Horse
Transport, and Brucellosis/Tuberculosis in cervids. Overall, APHIS will use
funding from the ECSR Health Line Item to support Agency efforts in the
following mission areas: prevention, preparedness and communication; monitoring,
surveillance and detection; response and containment; and continuity of
business, mitigation and recovery. Scrapie in Deer: Comparisons and Contrasts to
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
Justin J. Greenlee of the Virus and Prion Diseases Research Unit, National
Animal Disease Center, ARS, USDA, Ames, Iowa provided a presentation on scrapie
and CWD in inoculated deer. Interspecies transmission studies afford the
opportunity to better understand the potential host range and origins of prion
diseases. We inoculated white-tailed deer intracranially (IC) and by a natural
route of exposure (concurrent oral and intranasal inoculation) with a U.S.
scrapie isolate. All deer inoculated by the intracranial route had evidence of
PrPSc accumulation and those necropsied after 20 months post-inoculation (PI)
(3/5) had clinical signs, spongiform encephalopathy, and widespread distribution
of PrPSc in neural and lymphoid tissues. A single deer that was necropsied at
15.6 months PI did not have clinical signs, but had widespread distribution of
PrPSc. This highlights the facts that 1) prior to the onset of clinical signs
PrPSc is widely distributed in the CNS and lymphoid tissues, and 2) currently
used diagnostic methods are sufficient to detect PrPSc prior to the onset of
clinical signs. The results of this study suggest that there are many
similarities in the manifestation of CWD CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE
LIVESTOCK
189
and scrapie in white-tailed deer after IC inoculation including early and
widespread presence of PrPSc in lymphoid tissues, clinical signs of depression
and weight loss progressing to wasting, and an incubation time of 21-23 months.
Moreover, western blots (WB) done on brain material from the obex region have a
molecular profile consistent with CWD and distinct from tissues of the cerebrum
or the scrapie inoculum. However, results of microscopic and IHC examination
indicate that there are differences between the lesions expected in CWD and
those that occur in deer with scrapie: amyloid plaques were not noted in any
sections of brain examined from these deer and the pattern of immunoreactivity
by IHC was diffuse rather than plaque-like. After a natural route of exposure,
100% of white-tailed deer were susceptible to scrapie. Deer developed clinical
signs of wasting and mental depression and were necropsied from 28 to 33 months
PI. Tissues from these deer were positive for scrapie by IHC and WB. Tissues
with PrPSc immunoreactivity included brain, tonsil, retropharyngeal and
mesenteric lymph nodes, hemal node, Peyer’s patches, and spleen. While two WB
patterns have been detected in brain regions of deer inoculated by the natural
route, unlike the IC inoculated deer, the pattern similar to the scrapie
inoculum predominates.
Committee Business:
The Committee discussed and approved three resolutions regarding CWD. They
can be found in the report of the Committee on Nominations and Resolutions. In
summary, the resolutions urged USDA-APHIS-VS to:
• Continue to provide funding for CWD testing of captive cervids;
• Finalize and publish the national CWD rule for Herd Certification and
Interstate Movement; and
• Evaluate live animal test, including rectal mucosal biopsy, for CWD in
cervids.
snip...
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 14 -- APPROVED SOURCE: COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND
ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK SUBJECT MATTER: CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE FUNDING FOR
CAPTIVE CERVIDS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The proposed rule for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Herd Certification and
Interstate Movement of Captive Cervids in farmed cervidae requires that all
farmed cervidae greater than 12 months of age that die or are slaughtered must
be tested for CWD. Farmed cervidae producers across the nation have complied
with testing requirements, in large part because laboratory costs for CWD
testing have traditionally been paid with United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) funds. The CWD testing protocol that is recommended for
farmed cervidae is the immunohistochemistry (IHC) test using formalin fixed
samples of brain stem and retropharyngeal lymph node from each animal. It is the
most
NOMINATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
349
sensitive and specific test for detecting CWD. The test is expensive and
costs at least $25.00 per slide to perform at USDA approved laboratories. There
is an urgency to maintain USDA funding to cover the costs of CWD testing for
farmed cervidae. If USDA funding for CWD tests ends and farmed cervidae
producers are forced to cover the cost of such tests, there is a real
possibility that producer compliance with CWD testing requirements will
decrease. Without producer cooperation, the national CWD control program for
farmed cervidae could collapse.
RESOLUTION:
The United States Animal Health Association urges the United States
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Veterinary Services to continue to provide funding to cover the laboratory costs
of testing farmed cervidae for Chronic Wasting Disease by immunohistochemistry
at all approved laboratories.
*****
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 15 -- APPROVED SOURCE: COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND
ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK SUBJECT MATTER: CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE HERD CERTIFICATION
AND INTERSTATE MOVEMENT FINAL RULE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Implementation of rules for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) that define the
CWD herd certification program (9 CFR 55 Subpart B) and requirements for
interstate movement of farmed cervidae (9 CFR 81) has been delayed since 2006.
There is an urgency to finalize these rules to ensure that CWD
certification programs are uniformly administered in all states and that all
farmed cervidae that move from state to state meet the same requirements. These
rules are critically important to the survival of the farmed cervidae industry.
These rules are needed to preserve the ability of producers to move farmed
cervidae and their products interstate and internationally without unnecessary
restrictions.
RESOLUTION:
The United States Animal Health Association urges the United States
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Veterinary Services to finalize rules for Chronic Wasting Disease herd
certification programs (9 CFR 55 Subpart B) and interstate movement of farmed
cervidae (9 CFR 81).
*****
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE 350 RESOLUTION NUMBER: 16 -- APPROVED
SOURCE:COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK SUBJECT MATTER:
LIVE ANIMAL TESTING FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in live animals is an important
component of CWD Prevention and Control Programs. With the funding decrease for
CWD indemnification, the need has increased for additional diagnostic tools to
monitor CWD positive herds and epidemiologically linked herds that may be
maintained in quarantine rather than depopulated. The use of recto-anal mucosa
associated lymphoid tissue (RAMALT) has been approved as a live animal test for
Scrapie. There have been numerous studies evaluating the sensitivity and
specificity of RAMALT in cervids.
There are several additional advantages to RAMALT sampling. There is a
large amount of suitable tissue to sample and multiple sites can be sampled
allowing repeat sampling over time.
RESOLUTION:
The United States Animal Health Association requests that the United States
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Veterinary Services evaluate live animal tests, including the rectal biopsy
(RAMALT), as a live animal test for Chronic Wasting Disease.
*****
snip...
Update on Chronic Wasting Disease in the United States Tom Gidlewski,
USDA-APHIS, National Wildlife Research Center It has been roughly a decade since
we learned that chronic wasting disease (CWD) is not confined to Colorado and
Wyoming. During this time funds were made available for extensive wildlife
surveillance for CWD and numerous infected areas were discovered. This 2011
update on chronic wasting disease in the United States reviews the current
status of infected states including the rate of disease spread as well as the
success of management efforts. CWD current and applied research is reviewed. It
appears that elimination of CWD in established populations is very unlikely and
future efforts need to be directed toward minimizing the spread of the disease
into unaffected areas. Hunters are apparently unwilling to participate in the
drastic efforts necessary to severely reduce a cervid population to the level
necessary to affect CWD transmission. We now know that the CWD agent is readily
excreted in clinical animals and persists in the environment markedly
facilitating transmission. Hopefully, technological advances such as vaccination
will provide the necessary tools for intervention.
How can we do more with less? Techniques to increase efficiency of chronic
wasting disease surveillance Dr. Daniel P. Walsh, National Wildlife Health
Center, United States Geological Survey
With drastic reductions in resource allocations for chronic wasting disease
(CWD) surveillance, pressure has been placed upon wildlife management agencies
to continue to conduct necessary and oft times mandated disease surveillance
efforts with minimal budgets. Under these constraints, there is an increasing
demand for efficient and economical surveillance systems for disease detection
among wildlife managers. In an effort to meet these needs, we developed a
weighted surveillance system for use in detection of CWD in regions where it
presently is not known to occur. Our weighted surveillance approach exploits
inherent differences in prevalence among demographic groups arising from the CWD
disease processes and dynamics to increase efficiency in disease detection. We
employ a Bayesian statistical estimation procedure that allows us to account for
the uncertainty in estimates of these inherent differences within a rigorous
framework. The overall structure of our weighted surveillance technique is
constructed using a “points” system, which allows for samples to enter the CWD
surveillance stream from multiple sources, while being intuitive and easily
applied by wildlife managers. We believe that our weighted surveillance approach
provides a viable alternative to traditional surveillance approaches, and
because of its potential to increase efficiency and thereby REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE
514
produce economic benefits; it represents the next step in the evolution of
CWD surveillance.
USDA-APHIS-VS Chronic Wasting Disease National Program
Patrice N. Klein of USDA APHIS VS – National Center for Animal Health
Programs provided an update on the agency’s CWD–related activities:
CWD Rule Update: The amended final rule on chronic wasting disease (CWD) is
currently in departmental clearance. The rule will set minimum standards for
interstate movement and establish the national voluntary Herd Certification
Program (HCP). Farmed/captive cervid surveillance testing: Through FY2010, VS
conducted surveillance testing on approximately 20,000 farmed /captive cervids
by the immunohistochemistry (IHC) standard protocol. As of September 15, 2011,
approximately 19,000 farmed /captive cervids were tested by IHC for CWD with
funding to cover lab costs provided through NVSL.
Farmed/captive cervid CWD status: The CWD positive captive white-tailed
deer (WTD) herd reported in Missouri (February 2010) was indemnified and
depopulation activities were completed in June 2011. All depopulated animals
were tested for CWD and no additional CWD positive animals were found.
In FY 2011, CWD was reported in two captive elk herds in Nebraska
(December, 2010 and April 2011, respectively).
To date, 52 farmed/captive cervid herds have been identified in 11 states:
CO, KS, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NY, OK, SD, WI.
Thirty-nine were elk herds and 13 were WTD herds. At this time, eight CWD
positive herds remain – six elk herds in Colorado and the two elk herds in
Nebraska.
Wild Cervid surveillance: In FY 2009 funding supported surveillance in
approximately 74,330 wild cervids in 47 cooperating States. Wild cervid CWD
surveillance totals are pending for fiscal year 2010 (2010 – 2011 calendar year)
due to seasonal surveillance activities and completion of final cooperative
agreement reporting to APHIS.
In fiscal year 2011, there are 15 ‘tier 1’ States, 20 ‘tier 2’ States, and
15 ‘tier 3’ States. Two new ‘tier 1’ States, Minnesota and Maryland, were added
in fiscal year 2011 based on the new CWD detections in a free-ranging
white-tailed deer in southeastern Minnesota and in western Maryland.
Consequently, Delaware was upgraded to ‘tier 2’ status as an adjacent State to
Maryland. For FY 2011, 45 States and 32 Tribes will receive cooperative
agreement funds to complete wild cervid surveillance and other approved work
plan activities. Based on FY 2012 projected budget reductions, future
cooperative agreement funds will be eliminated.
APHIS CWD Funding: In FY2011, APHIS received approximately $15.8 million in
appropriated funding for the CWD Program. The President’s FY 2012 budget
proposes to reduce program funding for CWD by $13.9 million, leaving the program
with a request of $1.925 million to provide some level of Federal coordination
for the national herd certification program (HCP).
Consequently, APHIS is planning to amend its role in the program to one of
Federal coordination. Based on the projected FY 2012 budget, funding for CWD
cooperative agreements and indemnity funding for States and Tribes will be
eliminated. Under this scenario, the States or cervid industry producers will
likely be responsible for the costs of surveillance testing and indemnity for
appraisal, depopulation, and disposal of CWD-positive animals.
Commodity Health Line Structure: In the FY 2012 budget, livestock
commodities regulated by USDA have been organized into ‘Commodity Health Line’
structures or groupings. APHIS’ Equine, Cervid and Small Ruminant (ECSR) Health
line supports efforts to protect the health and thereby improve the quality and
productivity of the equine, cervid and small ruminant industries. Activities
supported by the ECSR Health line range from monitoring and surveillance to
investigation and response actions undertaken when health issues relevant to the
industry are identified. APHIS also maintains regulations and program standards
which guide ECSR activities at both the Federal and State/Tribal level.
The ECSR Health line funds essential activities necessary to maintain
current ECSR surveillance and program operations while providing the flexibility
to respond to new and emerging industry-specific health concerns. APHIS’ current
activities include Scrapie, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Slaughter Horse
Transport, and Brucellosis/Tuberculosis in cervids. Overall, APHIS will use
funding from the ECSR Health Line Item to support Agency efforts in the
following mission areas: prevention, preparedness and communication; monitoring,
surveillance and detection; response and containment; and continuity of
business, mitigation and recovery
Scrapie in Deer: Comparisons and Contrasts to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
Justin J. Greenlee of the Virus and Prion Diseases Research Unit, National
Animal Disease Center, ARS, USDA, Ames, IA provided a presentation on scrapie
and CWD in inoculated deer. Interspecies transmission studies afford the
opportunity to better understand the potential host range and origins of prion
diseases. We inoculated white-tailed deer intracranially (IC) and by a natural
route of exposure (concurrent oral and intranasal inoculation) with a US scrapie
isolate. All deer inoculated by the intracranial route had evidence of PrPSc
accumulation and those necropsied after 20 months post-inoculation (PI) (3/5)
had clinical signs, spongiform encephalopathy, and widespread distribution of
PrPSc in neural and lymphoid tissues. A single deer that was necropsied at 15.6
months PI did not have clinical signs, but had widespread distribution of PrPSc.
This highlights the facts that 1) prior to the onset of clinical signs PrPSc is
widely distributed in the CNS and lymphoid tissues and 2) currently used
diagnostic methods are sufficient to detect PrPSc prior to the onset of clinical
signs. The results of this study suggest that there are many similarities in the
manifestation of CWD and scrapie in white-tailed deer after IC inoculation
including early and widespread presence of PrPSc in lymphoid tissues, clinical
signs of depression and weight loss progressing to wasting, and an incubation
time of 21-23 months. Moreover, western blots (WB) done on brain material from
the obex region have a molecular profile consistent with CWD and distinct from
tissues of the cerebrum or the scrapie inoculum. However, results of microscopic
and IHC examination indicate that there are differences between the lesions
expected in CWD and those that occur in deer with scrapie: amyloid plaques were
not noted in any sections of brain examined from these deer and the pattern of
immunoreactivity by IHC was diffuse rather than plaque-like. After a natural
route of exposure, 100% of white-tailed deer were susceptible to scrapie. Deer
developed clinical signs of wasting and mental depression and were necropsied
from 28 to 33 months PI. Tissues from these deer were positive for scrapie by
IHC and WB. Tissues with PrPSc immunoreactivity included brain, tonsil,
retropharyngeal and mesenteric lymph nodes, hemal node, Peyer’s patches, and
spleen. While two WB patterns have been detected in brain regions of deer
inoculated by the natural route, unlike the IC inoculated deer, the pattern
similar to the scrapie inoculum predominates.
Committee Business:
The Committee discussed and approved three resolutions regarding CWD. They
can be found in the report of the Reswolutions Committee. Essentially the
resolutions urged USDA-APHIS-VS to:
Continue to provide funding for CWD testing of captive cervids
Finalize and publish the national CWD rule for Herd Certification and
Interstate Movement
Evaluate live animal test, including rectal mucosal biopsy, for CWD in
cervids
how many states have $465,000., and can quarantine and purchase there from,
each cwd said infected farm, but how many states can afford this for all the cwd
infected cervid game ranch type farms ???
? game farms in a state X $465,000., do all these game farms have insurance
to pay for this risk of infected the wild cervid herds, in each state ???
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD WISCONSIN Almond Deer (Buckhorn Flats) Farm
Update DECEMBER 2011
The CWD infection rate was nearly 80%, the highest ever in a North American
captive herd.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board approve the purchase of 80 acres of land for
$465,000 for the Statewide Wildlife Habitat Program in Portage County and
approve the restrictions on public use of the site.
Form 1100-001
(R 2/11)
NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD AGENDA ITEM
SUBJECT: Information Item: Almond Deer Farm Update
FOR: DECEMBER 2011 BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY
TO BE PRESENTED BY TITLE: Tami Ryan, Wildlife Health Section Chief
SUMMARY:
*** Spraker suggested an interesting explanation for the occurrence of CWD.
The deer pens at the Foot Hills Campus were built some 30-40 years ago by a Dr.
Bob Davis. At or abut that time, allegedly, some scrapie work was conducted at
this site. When deer were introduced to the pens they occupied ground that had
previously been occupied by sheep.
2011
*** After a natural route of exposure, 100% of white-tailed deer were
susceptible to scrapie.
SEE MORE USAHA REPORTS HERE, 2012 NOT PUBLISHED YET...TSS
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Captive Deer Breeding Legislation Overwhelmingly Defeated During 2012
Legislative Session
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
Thursday, March 14, 2013
TEXAS DEER BREEDERS CHEER TWO NEW BILLS SB 1444 AND HB 2092 THAT COULD HELP
POTENTIALLY ENHANCE CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
*** A Growing Threat How deer breeding could put public trust wildlife at
risk
2012 CDC REPORT ON CWD
Volume 18, Number 3—March 2012 Synopsis Occurrence, Transmission, and
Zoonotic Potential of Chronic Wasting Disease
snip...
Prevalence and Surveillance
Originally recognized only in southeastern Wyoming and northeastern
Colorado, USA, CWD was reported in Canada in 1996 and Wisconsin in 2001 and
continues to be identified in new geographic locations (Figure 1, panel A). CWD
has been identified in free-ranging cervids in 15 US states and 2 Canadian
provinces and in ≈100 captive herds in 15 states and provinces and in South
Korea (Figure 1, panel B).
snip...
CWD surveillance programs are now in place in almost all US states and
Canadian provinces (Figure 2, panel A). More than 1,060,000 free-ranging cervids
have reportedly been tested for CWD (Figure 2, panel B) and ≈6,000 cases have
been identified (Figure 2, panel C) according to data from state and provincial
wildlife agencies.
snip...
Testing of captive cervids is routine in most states and provinces, but
varies considerably in scope from mandatory testing of all dead animals to
voluntary herd certification programs or mandatory testing of only animals
suspected of dying of CWD.
snip...
Long-term effects of CWD on cervid populations and ecosystems remain
unclear as the disease continues to spread and prevalence increases. In captive
herds, CWD might persist at high levels and lead to complete herd destruction in
the absence of human culling. Epidemiologic modeling suggests the disease could
have severe effects on free-ranging deer populations, depending on hunting
policies and environmental persistence (8,9). CWD has been associated with large
decreases in free-ranging mule deer populations in an area of high CWD
prevalence (Boulder, Colorado, USA) (5). In addition, CWD-infected deer are
selectively preyed upon by mountain lions (5), and may also be more vulnerable
to vehicle collisions (10). Long-term effects of the disease may vary
considerably geographically, not only because of local hunting policies,
predator populations, and human density (e.g., vehicular collisions) but also
because of local environmental factors such as soil type (11) and local cervid
population factors, such as genetics and movement patterns (S.E. Saunders,
unpub. data).
snip...
Controlling the spread of CWD, especially by human action, is a more
attainable goal than eradication. Human movement of cervids has likely led to
spread of CWD in facilities for captive animals, which has most likely
contributed to establishment of new disease foci in free-ranging populations
(Figure 1, panel A). Thus, restrictions on human movement of cervids from
disease-endemic areas or herds continue to be warranted. Anthropogenic factors
that increase cervid congregation such as baiting and feeding should also be
restricted to reduce CWD transmission. Appropriate disposal of carcasses of
animals with suspected CWD is necessary to limit environmental contamination
(20), and attractive onsite disposal options such as composting and burial
require further investigation to determine contamination risks. The best options
for lowering the risk for recurrence in facilities for captive animals with
outbreaks are complete depopulation, stringent exclusion of free-ranging
cervids, and disinfection of all exposed surfaces. However, even the most
extensive decontamination measures may not be sufficient to eliminate the risk
for disease recurrence (20; S.E. Saunders et al. unpub. data)
Saturday, March 10, 2012
*** CWD, GAME FARMS, urine, feces, soil, lichens, and banned mad cow
protein feed CUSTOM MADE for deer and elk
Friday, February 08, 2013
*** Behavior of Prions in the Environment: Implications for Prion Biology
Friday, November 09, 2012
*** Chronic Wasting Disease CWD in cervidae and transmission to other
species
Sunday, November 11, 2012
*** Susceptibilities of Nonhuman Primates to Chronic Wasting Disease
November 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Susceptibility Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in wild cervids to Humans 2005
- December 14, 2012
Thursday, February 14, 2013
The Many Faces of Mad Cow Disease Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy BSE and
TSE prion disease
TSS
posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at
1:05 PM
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