TAHC REMINDS MULE DEER HUNTERS OF CWD TESTING REQUIREMENTS & CHECK STATIONS November 22, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2013
TAHC REMINDS MULE DEER HUNTERS OF CWD TESTING REQUIREMENTS & CHECK
STATIONS
AUSTIN – Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials are reminding mule
deer hunters and landowners in far West Texas about the protocols developed as
part of the TAHC’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management plan. The plan
includes mandatory check stations for harvested mule deer taken inside the CWD
Containment Zone, which covers portions of Hudspeth, Culberson, and El Paso
counties. See map of CWD zones below or at www.tahc.texas.gov .
The management plan was implemented after CWD was detected in tissue
samples from two mule deer in far West Texas during the summer of 2012. Those
were the first cases of CWD detected in Texas deer.
CWD is a neurological disease of deer, elk, sika and other members of the
deer family, known as “cervids.” CWD has never been shown to affect people or
domestic livestock. The progressively fatal disease causes chronic weight loss
and abnormal behavior such as disorientation. Prions (the infectious agent of
CWD), are present in the body fluids of infected animals, and can be shed onto
the soil where they may remain infectious to other susceptible animals for many
years. For this reason the TAHC rules apply to land, as well as cervids where
CWD has been found or is likely to be found.
In 2012, the TAHC and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) developed
a cooperative CWD management plan, which jointly created zones to protect
captive and free-ranging cervid populations from CWD. The TAHC classified El
Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson and portions of Reeves counties into two zones to
prevent unnatural movement of elk or mule deer from either area. In addition,
TPWD created a third “buffer zone” in other surrounding counties to encourage
voluntary surveillance of cervids. Information on this third zone can be found
at TPWD’s website www.tpwd.state.tx.us/cwd. Nearly 300 tissue samples were
collected from hunter harvested mule deer from the Trans Pecos ecoregion during
the 2012-13 season for CWD testing. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical
Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) and National Veterinary Services Laboratories
(NVSL) confirmed CWD in four of those samples. All CWD-positive deer found
during last year’s hunting season were harvested within the CWD Containment
Zone.
“The TAHC will continue to work closely with TPWD and the CWD Task Force to
protect the health of the entire Texas cervid population,” said Dr. Dee Ellis,
State Veterinarian and TAHC Executive Director. “This ensures a coordinated
effort between the TAHC and TPWD to control and contain CWD in the Hueco
Mountains of far West Texas, where it was previously discovered.”
What are the TAHC Zones and their Boundaries: The Containment Zone (CZ) is
a geographic area where there is a high risk of CWD existing. The CZ is defined
as follows; beginning in Culberson County where State Highway 62-180 enters from
New Mexico and thence in a southwesterly direction to the intersection with
State Highway 54 and thence following that in a southwesterly direction to the
intersection with IH 20 and thence following it in a westerly direction until
Ft. Hancock to State Highway 20 and thence following it a westerly direction to
Farm Road 1088 (east of Ft. Hancock), and thence following it in a southerly
direction to the Rio Grande River to where it enters the state of New
Mexico.
The High Risk Zone (HRZ) is an area which serves as a buffer (surveillance)
zone between the Containment Zone and the rest of Texas. The HRZ is defined as
follows: beginning in Reeves County where the Pecos River enters from New Mexico
and meanders in a southeasterly direction as the boundary between Reeves County
and Loving and Ward Counties to the intersection with IH 20 and thence following
it in a westerly direction until the intersection with State
Highway 54 and thence following it in a northwesterly direction until the
intersection with State Highway 62-180 and thence in a northeasterly direction
to the border with the state of New Mexico and Culberson
Restrictions:
No susceptible cervid species may be trapped and transported alive from
within either zone to another location. No susceptible species may be introduced
into a herd within the HRZ or the CZ that does not participate in the TAHC
Monitored Herd Program. No susceptible species may leave a herd within either
zone until it has achieved Year 5 or higher status. No part of a carcass
(excluding bones with no tissue attached) of a susceptible species (killed or
found dead), within the HRZ or CZ may be removed unless a testable CWD sample
from the carcass is collected by or provided to the TAHC or TPWD.
These requirements can be found in Title 4 of the Texas Administrative Code
Chapter 40, Section 40.6 and entitled “CWD Movement Restriction Zone”, and can
be viewed at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/regs/code.html.
For more information visit www.tahc.state.tx.us or call 1-800-550-8242.
Mandatory Check Stations: Hunters taking mule deer inside the Containment
Zone during the 2013 general mule deer hunting season, Nov. 29 – Dec. 15, are
required to submit their harvest (unfrozen head) for CWD sampling at mandatory
check stations within 24 hours of harvest. Mandatory check stations will be open
daily Nov. 29 – Dec. 16 in Cornudas and in Van Horn.
Hunters who harvest deer in the Containment Zone outside the general season
under the authority of MLDP (Managed Lands Deer Permits) will need to call TPWD
at (512) 221-8491 the day the deer is harvested to make arrangements to have the
deer sampled for CWD.
Voluntary check Stations: In addition to the mandatory check stations, TPWD
has established check stations for voluntary CWD sampling for deer harvested in
other parts of West Texas. These stations are located in Midland, Bakershield,
Sanderson, and Alpine.
For additional information regarding the CWD check stations and TPWD’s CWD
Management Plan, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/cwd .
Founded in 1893, the Texas Animal Health Commission works to protect the
health of all Texas livestock, including: cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats,
equine animals, and exotic livestock.
###
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Steve Lightfoot: West Texas Mule Deer rules CWD Management Plan mandatory
check stations for harvested mule deer taken inside the CWD Containment Zone
Thursday, October 03, 2013
TAHC ADOPTS CWD RULE THAT the amendments _*REMOVE*_ the requirement for a
specific fence height for captives
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
ANNOUNCEMENT
October 3, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
USDA Officials: CWD Standards Going to Public Comment Soon
Friday, October 12, 2012
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is Now Accepting Comments on Rule
Proposals for “Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)”
TO: comments@tahc.state.tx.us;
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
Friday, June 01, 2012
*** TEXAS DEER CZAR TO WISCONSIN ASK TO EXPLAIN COMMENTS
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Far West Texas
Monday, February 11, 2013
TEXAS CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD Four New Positives Found in Trans Pecos
Saturday, June 01, 2013
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) Proposes Modifications to Chronic
Wasting Disease (CWD), Brucellosis, and Other Rules
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Texas Important Update on OBEX ONLY TEXTING
One major change that was adopted as a result of the new federal
regulations is the sample collection for diagnostic testing of CWD.
Under the old regulations, owners were only required to collect and submit
a sample of the obex (brainstem) to the laboratory for testing. The new federal
changes require owners to collect and submit a sample of both the obex and
retropharyngeal lymph nodes for a more complete diagnostic testing.
Monday, February 11, 2013
TEXAS CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD Four New Positives Found in Trans Pecos
2012 TITLE 4. AGRICULTURE PART 2. TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION CHAPTER
40. CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE 4 TAC §40.6
The Texas Animal Health Commission (Commission) adopts new §40.6,
concerning CWD Movement Restriction Zone, with changes to the proposed text as
published in the July 6, 2012, issue of the Texas Register (37 TexReg 5061) and
will be republished. The new section will create a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
movement restriction zone(s) in the Trans Pecos Region. There is a task force
comprised of members of affected deer and exotic livestock associations, private
veterinary practitioners, and wildlife biologists who assisted the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Commission staff in the development of a CWD
response plan upon detection of the disease in mule deer harvested in New Mexico
within 1-2 miles of the Texas border. They recently met and provided both
agencies with recommendations on a strategy to address the risk of exposure of
CWD to susceptible species in Texas. The recommendations follow the creation of
CWD movement restriction zone(s) with restrictions put in place to protect
against the exposure and spread of CWD from New Mexico. These recommendations
are being taken in a coordinated effort by both TPWD and the Commission. It was
recently disclosed that through CWD sampling efforts of New Mexico Game and Fish
personnel that CWD has been detected in mule deer in the southern Sacramento
Mountains and northern Hueco Mountains, in southern New Mexico. While sample
sizes are very small, it seems that the CWD prevalence may be quite high in that
location. Several of the animals sampled were located in close proximity to the
Texas border. This is significant for the state of Texas, considering basic
biology and movement patterns of susceptible species located there, such as mule
deer and elk, indicate that the animals may be moving back and forth between
Texas and New Mexico. Prions are found ubiquitously throughout the body of an
infected animal and can be shed onto soil, where they may remain viable and able
to infect other susceptible animals for many years. Suspected additional
susceptible species, besides mule deer, white tail deer and elk, include red
deer and Sika deer. There is still no evidence that humans or domestic livestock
can be infected with CWD. Deer populations in other states where CWD prevalence
exceeds 40% have experienced significant (>45%) population declines. As the
prevalence rates increase and geographic distribution has expanded in other
states, hunters are more likely to alter hunting behaviors which may include
avoiding areas with high CWD prevalence. This could have an adverse economic
impact on local communities dependent on hunting revenue and could affect TPWD
efforts to manage cervid populations through hunter harvest. 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. The current area of concern was delineated as all land west
of the Pecos River and IH 20, and north of IH 10 to Ft. Hancock, and all land
west and north of Ft. Hancock, and the Containment Zone (CZ) was delineated as
all land west of HWY 62-180 and HWY 54, and north of IH 10 to Ft. Hancock, and
all land west and north of Ft. Hancock. Data regarding mule deer population
parameters and mule deer movements, knowledge on elk movements, and the
geography and habitat types of the area were considered in the delineation of
these zones. The Commission received four comments regarding adoption of the new
rule, but there is no change to the rule in response to the comments. Two of the
commenters told us to "trust experts like Dr. Dan McBride and your advisory
committee that was already prepared for this issue. We must at all cost protect
the whitetail herd in the dense areas of the Texas Hill Country where any
outbreak could lead to panic and economic collapse of these communities where
hunting dollars are vital to these communities." The Commission appreciates the
support of the task force. Another comment indicated that "it will be tough to
contain free ranging deer since they range many miles during breeding season."
The Commission agrees that is a tough aspect to fully control the spread of the
disease, but the zones were sized in order to take that into account. Lastly, a
comment indicated that "in light of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) epidemic,
which has jumped the border from New Mexico into Texas, Texas ought to
reevaluate its enthusiasm for land spreading sewage sludge bio solids on farm
land, grazing ranges, hay fields and dairy pastures where livestock and deer
ingest dirt and sludge with their fodder." The Commission has no jurisdiction
over that issue and that is not something addressed in this rule. STATUTORY
AUTHORITY The new rule is adopted under the following statutory authority as
found in Chapter 161 of the Texas Agriculture Code. The Commission is vested by
statute, §161.041(a), with the requirement to protect all livestock, domestic
animals, and domestic fowl from disease. The Commission is authorized, by
§161.041(b), to act to eradicate or control any disease or agent of transmission
for any disease that affects livestock. If the Commission determines that a
disease listed in §161.041 of this code or an agent of transmission of one of
those diseases exists in a place in this state among livestock, or that
livestock are exposed to one of those diseases or an agent of transmission of
one of those diseases, the Commission shall establish a quarantine on the
affected animals or on the affected place. That is found in §161.061. Section
161.054 provides that as a control measure, the Commission by rule may regulate
the movement of animals, including feral swine. The Commission may restrict the
intrastate movement of animals, including feral swine, even though the movement
of the animals is unrestricted in interstate or international commerce. The
Commission by rule may prohibit or regulate the movement of animals, into a
quarantined herd, premise, or area. In §161.048, a person is presumed to control
the animal if the person is the owner or lessee of the pen, pasture, or other
place in which the animal is located and has control of that place; or exercises
care or control over the animal. That is under §161.002. Section 161.0541,
entitled "Elk Disease Surveillance Program", provides that the Commission by
rule may establish a disease surveillance program for elk. Section 161.007
provides that if a veterinarian employed by the Commission determines that a
communicable disease exists among livestock, domestic animals, or domestic fowl
or on certain premises or that livestock, domestic animals, or domestic fowl
have been exposed to the agency of transmission of a communicable disease, the
exposure or infection is considered to continue until the Commission determines
that the exposure or infection has been eradicated through methods prescribed by
rule of the Commission. Section 161.005 provides that the Commission may
authorize the Executive Director or another employee to sign written instruments
on behalf of the Commission. A written instrument, including a quarantine or
written notice, signed under that authority has the same force and effect as if
signed by the entire Commission. §40.6.CWD Movement Restriction Zone. (a)
Definitions: (1) Containment Zone (CZ)--A geographic area which would include a
known affected (quarantined) area or area within Texas where there is a high
risk of CWD existing. (2) High Risk Zone (HRZ)--Area which serves as a buffer
(surveillance) zone separating the Containment Zone from the rest of Texas. (3)
Susceptible Species--All white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, mule deer, elk,
or other cervid species determined to be susceptible to Chronic Wasting Disease
(CWD), which means an animal of that species has had a diagnosis of CWD
confirmed by means of an official test conducted by a laboratory approved by
USDA-APHIS. (4) Unnatural Movement--Any artificially induced movement of a live
susceptible species or the carcass of a susceptible species. (b) Declaration of
Area Restricted for CWD. CWD has been detected in mule deer and/or elk in the
southern Sacramento Mountains and northern Hueco Mountains of Southern New
Mexico, which creates the high risk that there are susceptible species for CWD
that have been exposed or infected to CWD within the state. 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. The current area of much concern was delineated as all land
west of the Pecos River and Interstate Highway (IH) 20, and north of IH 10 to
Ft. Hancock, and all land west and north of Ft. Hancock and the CZ was
delineated as all land west of HWY 62-180 and HWY 54, and north of IH 10 to Ft.
Hancock, and all land west and north of Ft. Hancock. Data regarding mule deer
population parameters, movement patterns of mule deer and elk in the area, and
the geography and habitat of the area were considered in the delineation of
these zones. (c) Zone Boundaries: (1) The CZ is defined as follows: beginning in
Culberson County where State Highway 62-180 enters from New Mexico and thence in
a southwesterly direction to the intersection with State Highway 54 and thence
following that in a southwesterly direction to the intersection with IH 20 and
thence following it in a westerly direction until Ft. Hancock to State Highway
20 and thence following it a westerly direction to Farm Road 1088 (east of Ft.
Hancock), and thence following it in a southerly direction to the Rio Grande
River to where it enters the state of New Mexico. (2) The HRZ is defined as
follows: beginning in Reeves County where the Pecos River enters from New Mexico
and meanders in a southeasterly direction as the boundary between Reeves County
and Loving and Ward Counties to the intersection with IH 20 and thence following
it in a westerly direction until the intersection with State Highway 54 and
thence following it in a northwesterly direction until the intersection with
State Highway 62-180 and thence in a northeasterly direction to the border with
the state of New Mexico and Culberson County. (d) Restrictions: (1) Prohibition
of Unnatural Movement of Non-Captive Susceptible Species: (A) No susceptible
species may be trapped and transported from within the HRZ or the CZ to another
location. No susceptible species may be released within the HRZ or the CZ
without participating in a monitored herd program in accordance with the
requirements of §40.3 of this chapter (relating to Herd Status Plans for
Cervidae) and having a herd with Level "C" status of five years or higher as
established through §40.3(4)(C) of this chapter or for species under the
authority of Texas Parks and Wildlife in accordance with their applicable
requirements. (B) No part of a carcass of a susceptible species, either killed
or found dead, within the HRZ or CZ may be removed from the HRZ or CZ unless a
testable CWD sample from the carcass is collected by or provided to the
Commission or TPWD with appropriate contact information provided by the
submitter. (2) CWD monitored status within the CZ: (A) Previously Established
CWD Monitored Facilities within the CZ. Movement of susceptible species will
only be allowed for animals from previously established facilities within the CZ
that have obtained a five-year status while in the CZ in accordance with the
requirements of §40.3 of this chapter and having a herd with Level "C" status of
five years or higher as established through §40.3(4)(C) of this chapter or for
species under the authority of Texas Parks and Wildlife in accordance with their
applicable requirements. (B) Newly Established CWD Monitored Facilities within
the CZ. Susceptible species moving into newly established facilities within the
CZ will have their status reset at zero and must be held within the facility
until it has received five-year status in accordance with the requirements of
§40.3 of this chapter and having a herd with Level "C" status of five years or
higher as established through §40.3(4)(C) of this chapter or for species under
the authority of Texas Parks and Wildlife in accordance with their applicable
requirements. (3) CWD monitored status within the HRZ: (A) Previously
Established CWD Monitored Facilities within the HRZ. Movement of susceptible
species from previously established facilities within the HRZ is only for
animals that have obtained a five-year status in accordance with the
requirements of §40.3 of this chapter and having a herd with Level "C" status of
five years or higher as established through §40.3(4)(C) of this chapter or for
species under the authority of Texas Parks and Wildlife in accordance with their
applicable requirements. (B) Newly Established CWD Monitored Facilities within
the HRZ. Susceptible species moving into newly established facilities within the
HRZ will have their status reset to zero, and movement will be restricted until
the facility has gained five-year status in accordance with the requirements of
§40.3 of this chapter and having a herd with Level "C" status of five years or
higher as established through §40.3(4)(C) of this chapter or for species under
the authority of Texas Parks and Wildlife in accordance with their applicable
requirements. (e) The Executive Director may authorize movement. If movement is
necessary or desirable to promote the objectives of this chapter and/or to
minimize the economic impact of the restricted susceptible species without
endangering those objectives or the health and safety of other susceptible
species within the state, the Executive Director may authorize movement in a
manner that creates minimal risk to the other susceptible animals in the state.
(f) Notice of High Risk Designation. The Executive Director shall give notice of
the restrictions by publishing notice in a newspaper published in the county
where the restrictions will be established, or by other accepted practices or
publications which circulate information in the county or counties. This agency
hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found
to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority. Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on September 20, 2012. TRD-201204977 Gene Snelson General
Counsel Texas Animal Health Commission Effective date: October 10, 2012 Proposal
publication date: July 6, 2012 For further information, please call: (512)
719-0724
Texas Register
TITLE 4 AGRICULTURE PART 2 TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION CHAPTER 40
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RULE §40.6
CWD Movement Restriction Zone ISSUE 10/05/2012
ACTION Final/Adopted (a)Definitions: (1)Containment Zone (CZ)--A geographic
area which would include a known affected (quarantined) area or area within
Texas where there is a high risk of CWD existing. (2)High Risk Zone (HRZ)--Area
which serves as a buffer (surveillance) zone separating the Containment Zone
from the rest of Texas. (3)Susceptible Species--All white-tailed deer,
black-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, or other cervid species determined to be
susceptible to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which means an animal of that
species has had a diagnosis of CWD confirmed by means of an official test
conducted by a laboratory approved by USDA-APHIS. (4)Unnatural Movement--Any
artificially induced movement of a live susceptible species or the carcass of a
susceptible species. (b)Declaration of Area Restricted for CWD. CWD has been
detected in mule deer and/or elk in the southern Sacramento Mountains and
northern Hueco Mountains of Southern New Mexico, which creates the high risk
that there are susceptible species for CWD that have been exposed or infected to
CWD within the state. 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. The current area of
much concern was delineated as all land west of the Pecos River and Interstate
Highway (IH) 20, and north of IH 10 to Ft. Hancock, and all land west and north
of Ft. Hancock and the CZ was delineated as all land west of HWY 62-180 and HWY
54, and north of IH 10 to Ft. Hancock, and all land west and north of Ft.
Hancock. Data regarding mule deer population parameters, movement patterns of
mule deer and elk in the area, and the geography and habitat of the area were
considered in the delineation of these zones. (c)Zone Boundaries: (1)The CZ is
defined as follows: beginning in Culberson County where State Highway 62-180
enters from New Mexico and thence in a southwesterly direction to the
intersection with State Highway 54 and thence following that in a southwesterly
direction to the intersection with IH 20 and thence following it in a westerly
direction until Ft. Hancock to State Highway 20 and thence following it a
westerly direction to Farm Road 1088 (east of Ft. Hancock), and thence following
it in a southerly direction to the Rio Grande River to where it enters the state
of New Mexico. (2)The HRZ is defined as follows: beginning in Reeves County
where the Pecos River enters from New Mexico and meanders in a southeasterly
direction as the boundary between Reeves County and Loving and Ward Counties to
the intersection with IH 20 and thence following it in a westerly direction
until the intersection with State Highway 54 and thence following it in a
northwesterly direction until the intersection with State Highway 62-180 and
thence in a northeasterly direction to the border with the state of New Mexico
and Culberson County. (d)Restrictions: (1)Prohibition of Unnatural Movement of
Non-Captive Susceptible Species: (A)No susceptible species may be trapped and
transported from within the HRZ or the CZ to another location. No susceptible
species may be released within the HRZ or the CZ without participating in a
monitored herd program in accordance with the requirements of §40.3 of this
chapter (relating to Herd Status Plans for Cervidae) and having a herd with
Level "C" status of five years or higher as established through §40.3(4)(C) of
this chapter or for species under the authority of Texas Parks and Wildlife in
accordance with their applicable requirements. (B)No part of a carcass of a
susceptible species, either killed or found dead, within the HRZ or CZ may be
removed from the HRZ or CZ unless a testable CWD sample from the carcass is
collected by or provided to the Commission or TPWD with appropriate contact
information provided by the submitter. (2)CWD monitored status within the CZ:
(A)Previously Established CWD Monitored Facilities within the CZ. Movement of
susceptible species will only be allowed for animals from previously established
facilities within the CZ that have obtained a five-year status while in the CZ
in accordance with the requirements of §40.3 of this chapter and having a herd
with Level "C" status of five years or higher as established through §40.3(4)(C)
of this chapter or for species under the authority of Texas Parks and Wildlife
in accordance with their applicable requirements. (B)Newly Established CWD
Monitored Facilities within the CZ. Susceptible species moving into newly
established facilities within the CZ will have their status reset at zero and
must be held within the facility until it has received five-year status in
accordance with the requirements of §40.3 of this chapter and having a herd with
Level "C" status of five years or higher as established through §40.3(4)(C) of
this chapter or for species under the authority of Texas Parks and Wildlife in
accordance with their applicable requirements. (3)CWD monitored status within
the HRZ: (A)Previously Established CWD Monitored Facilities within the HRZ.
Movement of susceptible species from previously established facilities within
the HRZ is only for animals that have obtained a five-year status in accordance
with the requirements of §40.3 of this chapter and having a herd with Level "C"
status of five years or higher as established through §40.3(4)(C) of this
chapter or for species under the authority of Texas Parks and Wildlife in
accordance with their applicable requirements. (B)Newly Established CWD
Monitored Facilities within the HRZ. Susceptible species moving into newly
established facilities within the HRZ will have their status reset to zero, and
movement will be restricted until the facility has gained five-year status in
accordance with the requirements of §40.3 of this chapter and having a herd with
Level "C" status of five years or higher as established through §40.3(4)(C) of
this chapter or for species under the authority of Texas Parks and Wildlife in
accordance with their applicable requirements. (e)The Executive Director may
authorize movement. If movement is necessary or desirable to promote the
objectives of this chapter and/or to minimize the economic impact of the
restricted susceptible species without endangering those objectives or the
health and safety of other susceptible species within the state, the Executive
Director may authorize movement in a manner that creates minimal risk to the
other susceptible animals in the state. (f)Notice of High Risk Designation. The
Executive Director shall give notice of the restrictions by publishing notice in
a newspaper published in the county where the restrictions will be established,
or by other accepted practices or publications which circulate information in
the county or counties. This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been
reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal
authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on September 20, 2012
TRD-201204977
Gene Snelson
General Counsel
Texas Animal Health Commission
Effective date: October 10, 2012
Proposal publication date: July 6, 2012
For further information, please call: (512) 719-0724
2011 – 2012
Friday, October 28, 2011
CWD Herd Monitoring Program to be Enforced Jan. 2012 TEXAS
Greetings TAHC et al,
A kind greetings from Bacliff, Texas.
In reply to ;
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) Announcement October 27, 2011
I kindly submit the following ;
Comment from Terry Singeltary
Document ID: APHIS-2011-0032-0002
Document Type: Public Submission
This is comment on Notice:
Agency Information Collection Activities;
Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Chronic Wasting Disease Herd
Certification Program Docket ID: APHIS-2011-0032 RIN:
Topics: No Topics associated with this document View Document: Less
Document Subtype: Public Comment Status: Posted Received Date: January 24 2012,
at 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time Date Posted: January 25 2012, at 12:00 AM
Eastern Standard Time Comment Start Date: January 24 2012, at 12:00 AM Eastern
Standard Time Comment Due Date: March 26 2012, at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Tracking Number: 80fa2c68 First Name: Terry Middle Name: S. Last Name:
Singeltary City: Bacliff Country: United States State or Province: TX
Organization Name: LAYPERSON Submitter's Representative: CJD TSE PRION VICTIMS
Comment: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions,
and Approvals: Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program (Document ID
APHIS-2011-0032-0001) I believe that any voluntary program for CWD free herd
certification from game farms will be futile, as was the partial and voluntary
mad cow feed ban of August 4, 1997. That failed terribly, with some 10,000,000
of banned blood laced MBM being fed out in 2007, a decade post August 4, 1997
partial and voluntary ban. Game farms are a petri dish for CWD TSE Prion
disease, with Wisconsin having documented 9 CWD infected game farms, with one
having the highest CWD infection rate in the world, 80% CWD infection rate. I
believe that all game farms should be SHUT DOWN PERMANENTLY. CWD TSE prion
disease survives ashing to 600 degrees celsius, that’s around 1112 degrees
farenheit. you cannot cook the CWD TSE prion disease out of meat. you can take
the ash and mix it with saline and inject that ash into a mouse, and the mouse
will go down with TSE. Prion Infected Meat-and-Bone Meal Is Still Infectious
after Biodiesel Production as well. the TSE prion agent also survives Simulated
Wastewater Treatment Processes. IN fact, you should also know that the CWD TSE
Prion agent will survive in the environment for years, if not decades. you can
bury it and it will not go away. CWD TSE agent is capable of infected your water
table i.e. Detection of protease-resistant cervid prion protein in water from a
CWD-endemic area. it’s not your ordinary pathogen you can just cook it out and
be done with. that’s what’s so worrisome about Iatrogenic mode of transmission,
a simple autoclave will not kill this TSE prion agent.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD WISCONSIN Almond Deer (Buckhorn Flats) Farm
Update DECEMBER 2011
see full text ;
=================================================
Comment from Terry Singeltary Document ID: APHIS-2006-0118-0100 Document
Type: Public Submission This is comment on Proposed Rule: Chronic Wasting
Disease Herd Certification Program and Interstate Movement of Farmed or Captive
Deer, Elk, and Moose Docket ID: APHIS-2006-0118 RIN:0579-AB35
Topics: No Topics associated with this document View Document: Less
Document Subtype: Public Comment Status: Posted Received Date: May 16 2009, at
05:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time Date Posted: May 19 2009, at 12:00 AM Eastern
Daylight Time Comment Start Date: March 31 2009, at 12:00 AM Eastern Daylight
Time Comment Due Date: June 01 2009, at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time Tracking
Number: 8099740b First Name: Terry Middle Name: S. Last Name: Singeltary City:
Bacliff Country: United States State or Province: TX Organization Name: CJD
WATCH
Comment: APHIS-2006-0118-0096
Greetings APHIS et al,
I would kindly like to comment on ; Docket ID APHIS-2006-0118 Docket Title
Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Document ID
APHIS-2006-0118-0096 Document Title Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification
Program and Interstate Movement of Farmed or Captive Deer, Elk, and Moose with
great sadness, my comments are as follows ;
DUE to the likelihood of CWD transmission to humans as a zootic disease,
and proven transmission of CWD to other species via the lab, and the highly
environmental transmission routes of CWD, the threat that game farms pose to the
wild is great.
RECENTLY, in the May 2009 CDC warns of this potential of prions to humans
via CWD and Nutritional Supplements from ELK ANTLER VELVET.
ALSO RECENTLY, a multi-state recall of ELK MEAT PRODUCTS FROM A CWD
POSITIVE ELK. (they are not recalling all this meat for the well being of the
dead cwd positive elk.)
SOME of these game farms have proven to have a high infectious rate for
CWD. Some as high as 79% infection rate.
A NEW 2nd strain of CWD i.e. (THE WISCONSIN STRAIN of CWD?), and what will
this curtail i.e. as in transmission ???
we found out with BSE in cattle, that the atypical strains, some are more
virulent in transmission. FOR all these reasons, it is urgent to keep the
failures of the CWD factory farming industry of 'big rack' deer and elk, to
spreading to the wild.
I urge that 100% CWD testing of elk, deer, and all animals on game farms
tested for CWD/TSE. ANY positive should result in complete herd eradication. ANY
GAME farm with one positive CWD animal must be shut down for good due to the
ramifications of environmental infection risk factors, and future infection
there from, there of.
THE land there from, must be contained, and quarantined for 5 years, with
no introduction of any game and or farm producing livestock for humans and or
animals, and or crop production. Then a reevaluation of that farm/land and
environmental risk factors there of must be done for a reassessment, before any
use of that farm/land could go forward.
ANY and all water run off must be contained at owners expense.
ALL elk and deer and or any animal from game farms, must be identifiable
and traceable, at all times.
THIS all should be mandatory, and regulated by the federal government,
because the chance of different regulations, and lack of enforcement, state by
state, would enhance the spreading of CWD.
WE must stop CWD before it spreads to all STATES, and until a validated
100% CWD TSE live test is available, one that can be used at birth, and until
there is a way to completely decontaminate land that has been infected with the
CWD agent, in my opinion, these draconian measures are the only plausible
measures which i know of that can be taken, which might stop this spread of CWD
to every state. see ;
see full text submission here ;
Comment from Terry Singeltary This is a Comment on the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Notice: Agency Information Collection
Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Chronic Wasting Disease Herd
Certification Program
2001 - 2005
Subject: Texas Borders Reopened for Importing Black-Tailed Deer & Elk
New Entry Regulations in Effect $ CWD TESTING STATISTICS ?
Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 17:18:16 –0700
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."
Reply-To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
To: BSE-L@uni-karlsruhe.de
######## Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy #########
NEWS RELEASE
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Linda Logan, DVM, PhD * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242,
ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us
snip...
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
CWD TEXAS TAHC OLD FILE HISTORY
updated from some of my old files. ...
Subject: CWD SURVEILLANCE STATISTICS TEXAS (total testing figures less than
50 in two years)
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 21:06:49 –0700
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr."
Reply-To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
To: BSE-L@uni-karlsruhe.de
######## Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy #########
greetings list members,
here are some figures on CWD testing in TEXAS...TSS
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.
xxxxxxx
Texas Animal Health Commission
(personal communication...TSS)
Austin 8 news
snip...
"There's about 4 million deer in the state of Texas, and as a resource I
think we need to be doing as much as we can to look for these diseases," said
Doug Humphreys with Texas Parks and Wildlife. "Right now Texas is clear. We
haven't found any, but that doesn't mean we don't look."
With approximately 4 million animals, Texas has the largest population of
white-tailed deer in the nation. In addition, about 19,000 white-tailed deer and
17,000 elk are being held in private facilities. To know if CWD is present in
captive herds, TPWD and Texas Animal Health Commission are working with breeders
to monitor their herds.
How is it spread?
It is not known exactly how CWD is spread. It is believed that the agent
responsible for the disease may be spread both directly (animal to animal
contact) and indirectly (soil or other surface to animal). It is thought that
the most common mode of transmission from an infected animal is via saliva,
feces, and urine.
some surveillance?
beyond the _potential_ methods of transmissions above, why, not a single
word of SRM of various TSE species in feed as a source?
it's a known fact they have been feeding the deer/elk the same stuff as
cows here in USA.
and the oral route has been documented of CWD to mule deer fawns in lab
studies.
not to say that other _potential_ transmission mechanisms are possible, but
why over look the obvious?
TSS
########### http://mailhost.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/warc/bse-l.html
############
From: Ken Waldrup, DVM, PhD (host25-207.tahc.state.tx.us)
Subject: Re: CWD SAMPLING TEXAS (but NOT in the obvious place, the NM,
TEXAS border)
Date: December 15, 2003 at 3:43 pm PST
In Reply to: CWD SAMPLING TEXAS (but NOT in the obvious place, the NM,
TEXAS border) posted by TSS on December 12, 2003 at 2:15 pm:
Dear sirs:
With regard to your comment about Texas NOT looking for CWD along the New
Mexico border, it is painfully obvious that you do not know or understand the
natural distribution of mule deer out there or the rights of the land owners in
this state. As of 15 December 2003, a total of 42 deer had been sampled from
what we call "Trans-Pecos", beyond the Pecos River. Mule deer are very widely
dispersed through this area, sometimes at densities of one animal per 6 square
miles. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department does not have the legal authority
to trepass on private property to collect deer. Some landowners are cooperative.
Some are not. Franklin State Park is at the very tip of Texas, and deer from the
park have been tested (all negative). One of the single largest land owners
along the border is the National Park Service. Deer and elk from the Guadalupe
Peak National Park cannot be collected with federal permission. The sampling
throughout the state is based on the deer populations by eco-region and is
dictated by the availability of funds. I am concerned about your insinuation
that CWD is a human health risk. We are at a stand-off - you have no proof that
it is and I have no definitive proof that it isn't. However I would say that the
inferred evidence from Colorado, Wyoming and Wisconsin suggests that CWD is not
a human health concern (i.e. no evidence of an increased incidence of human
brain disorders within the CWD "endemic" areas of these states). From my
professional interactions with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, I can
definitely say that they want to do a thorough and sound survey throughout the
state, not willy-nilly "look here, look there". There are limitations of
manpower, finances and, in some places, deer populations. I would congratulate
TPWD for doing the best job with the limitations at hand rather than trying to
browbeat them when you obviously do not understand the ecology of West Texas.
Thank you for your consideration.
======================
From: TSS (216-119-139-126.ipset19.wt.net)
Subject: Re: CWD SAMPLING TEXAS (but NOT in the obvious place, the NM,
TEXAS border)
Date: December 16, 2003 at 11:03 am PST
In Reply to: Re: CWD SAMPLING TEXAS (but NOT in the obvious place, the NM,
TEXAS border) posted by Ken Waldrup, DVM, PhD on December 15, 2003 at 3:43 pm:
HEllo Dr. Waldrup,
thank you for your comments and time to come to this board.
Ken Waldrup, DVM, PhD states;
> it is painfully obvious that you do not know or understand the natural
distribution of mule deer out there or the rights of the land owners in this
state...
TSS states;
I am concerned about all deer/elk not just mule deer, and the rights of
land owners (in the case with human/animal TSEs) well i am not sure of the
correct terminology, but when the States deer/elk/cattle/sheep/humans are at
risk, there should be no rights for land owners in this case. the state should
have the right to test those animals. there are too many folks out there that
are just plain ignorant about this agent. with an agent such as this, you cannot
let landowners (and i am one) dictate human/animal health, especially when you
cannot regulate the movement of such animals...
Ken Waldrup, DVM, PhD states;
> Deer and elk from the Guadalupe Peak National Park cannot be collected
with federal permission.
TSS states;
I do not understand this? so there is no recourse of action even if every
deer/elk was contaminated with CWD in this area (hypothetical)?
Ken Waldrup, DVM, PhD states;
> I am concerned about your insinuation that CWD is a human health risk.
We are at a stand-off - you have no proof that it is and I have no definitive
proof that it isn't. However I would say that the inferred evidence from
Colorado, Wyoming and Wisconsin suggests that CWD is not a human health concern
(i.e. no evidence of an increased incidence of human brain disorders within the
CWD "endemic" areas of these states)...
TSS states;
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...end...TSS
===============================
2005
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."
To: kristen.everett@tpwd.state.tx.us
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
-------- 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
#################### https://lists.aegee.org/bse-l.html
####################
2006
----- 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
SNIP...SEE FULL TEXT ;
2011 – 2012
Friday, October 28, 2011
CWD Herd Monitoring Program to be Enforced Jan. 2012 TEXAS
Greetings TAHC et al,
A kind greetings from Bacliff, Texas.
In reply to ;
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) Announcement October 27, 2011
I kindly submit the following ;
Thursday, July 11, 2013
The New Hornographers: The Fight Over the Future of Texas Deer, Captive
shooting pens, and the CWD TSE prion disease
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
***cwd - cervid captive livestock escapes, loose and on the run in the
wild...
Friday, June 01, 2012
*** TEXAS DEER CZAR TO WISCONSIN ASK TO EXPLAIN COMMENTS
Saturday, October 19, 2013
ACA Council Meets to Endorse Several Proposed USAHA Resolutions (CWD TSE
PRION DISEASE)
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Deer don't disappoint after hunters' early optimism Houston Chronicle By
Shannon Tompkins November 13, 2013
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Wisconsin 16 MONTH age limit on testing dead deer Game Farm CWD Testing
Protocol Needs To Be Revised
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 ???
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.
SUMMARY:
recently, a report came out in the U.K., about risk factors from entry of
CWD from the USA.
I think you might find interest there ;
Friday, December 14, 2012 DEFRA U.K. What is the risk of Chronic Wasting
Disease CWD being introduced into Great Britain? A Qualitative Risk Assessment
October 2012
snip...
In the USA, under the Food and Drug Administration’s BSE Feed Regulation
(21 CFR 589.2000) most material (exceptions include milk, tallow, and gelatin)
from deer and elk is prohibited for use in feed for ruminant animals. With
regards to feed for non-ruminant animals, under FDA law, CWD positive deer may
not be used for any animal feed or feed ingredients. For elk and deer considered
at high risk for CWD, the FDA recommends that these animals do not enter the
animal feed system. However, this recommendation is guidance and not a
requirement by law. Animals considered at high risk for CWD include:
1) animals from areas declared to be endemic for CWD and/or to be CWD
eradication zones and
2) deer and elk that at some time during the 60-month period prior to
slaughter were in a captive herd that contained a CWD-positive animal.
Therefore, in the USA, materials from cervids other than CWD positive
animals may be used in animal feed and feed ingredients for non-ruminants.
The amount of animal PAP that is of deer and/or elk origin imported from
the USA to GB can not be determined, however, as it is not specified in TRACES.
It may constitute a small percentage of the 8412 kilos of non-fish origin
processed animal proteins that were imported from US into GB in 2011. Overall,
therefore, it is considered there is a __greater than negligible risk___ that
(nonruminant) animal feed and pet food containing deer and/or elk protein is
imported into GB. There is uncertainty associated with this estimate given the
lack of data on the amount of deer and/or elk protein possibly being imported in
these products.
snip...
36% in 2007 (Almberg et al., 2011). In such areas, population declines of
deer of up to 30 to 50% have been observed (Almberg et al., 2011). In areas of
Colorado, the prevalence can be as high as 30% (EFSA, 2011). The clinical signs
of CWD in affected adults are weight loss and behavioural changes that can span
weeks or months (Williams, 2005). In addition, signs might include excessive
salivation, behavioural alterations including a fixed stare and changes in
interaction with other animals in the herd, and an altered stance (Williams,
2005). These signs are indistinguishable from cervids experimentally infected
with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Given this, if CWD was to be
introduced into countries with BSE such as GB, for example, infected deer
populations would need to be tested to differentiate if they were infected with
CWD or BSE to minimise the risk of BSE entering the human food-chain via
affected venison.
snip...
The rate of transmission of CWD has been reported to be as high as 30% and
can approach 100% among captive animals in endemic areas (Safar et al., 2008).
snip...
In summary, in endemic areas, there is a medium probability that the soil
and surrounding environment is contaminated with CWD prions and in a
bioavailable form. In rural areas where CWD has not been reported and deer are
present, there is a greater than negligible risk the soil is contaminated with
CWD prion.
snip...
In summary, given the volume of tourists, hunters and servicemen moving
between GB and North America, the probability of at least one person travelling
to/from a CWD affected area and, in doing so, contaminating their clothing,
footwear and/or equipment prior to arriving in GB is greater than negligible.
For deer hunters, specifically, the risk is likely to be greater given the
increased contact with deer and their environment. However, there is significant
uncertainty associated with these estimates.
snip...
Therefore, it is considered that farmed and park deer may have a higher
probability of exposure to CWD transferred to the environment than wild deer
given the restricted habitat range and higher frequency of contact with tourists
and returning GB residents. snip...
SNIP...SEE ;
Friday, December 14, 2012
DEFRA U.K. What is the risk of Chronic Wasting Disease CWD being introduced
into Great Britain? A Qualitative Risk Assessment October 2012
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Inspections, Compliance, Enforcement, and Criminal Investigations BSE TSE
PRION 2013
DOCKET-- 03D-0186 -- FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Use of Material From Deer
and Elk in Animal Feed; Availability
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 11:47:37 –0500
EMC 1 Terry S. Singeltary Sr. Vol #: 1
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/03/Jun03/060903/060903.htm
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/03/oct03/100203/100203.htm
PLEASE SEE FULL TEXT SUBMISSION ;
PRION2013 CONGRESSIONAL ABSTRACTS CWD
Thursday, August 08, 2013
Characterization of the first case of naturally occurring chronic wasting
disease in a captive red deer (Cervus elaphus) in North America
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
USDA Officials: CWD Standards Going to Public Comment Soon
Sunday, September 01, 2013
hunting over gut piles and CWD TSE prion disease
Monday, October 07, 2013
The importance of localized culling in stabilizing chronic wasting disease
prevalence in white-tailed deer populations
Thursday, October 10, 2013
CJD REPORT 1994 increased risk for consumption of veal and venison and lamb
Uptake of Prions into Plants
Prion2013
Friday, August 09, 2013
***CWD TSE prion, plants, vegetables, and the potential for environmental
contamination
CWD TSE PRION TO HUMANS ?
''no strong evidence''
but let's see exactly what the authors of this cwd to human at the cdc
state ;
now, let’s see what the authors said about this casual link, personal
communications years ago. see where it is stated NO STRONG evidence. so, does
this mean there IS casual evidence ????
“Our conclusion stating that we found no strong evidence of CWD
transmission to humans”
From: TSS (216-119-163-189.ipset45.wt.net)
Subject: CWD aka MAD DEER/ELK TO HUMANS ???
Date: September 30, 2002 at 7:06 am PST
From: "Belay, Ermias"
To:
Cc: "Race, Richard (NIH)" ; ; "Belay, Ermias"
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 9:22 AM
Subject: RE: TO CDC AND NIH - PUB MED- 3 MORE DEATHS - CWD - YOUNG HUNTERS
Dear Sir/Madam,
In the Archives of Neurology you quoted (the abstract of which was attached
to your email), we did not say CWD in humans will present like variant CJD.
That assumption would be wrong. I encourage you to read the whole article
and call me if you have questions or need more clarification (phone:
404-639-3091). Also, we do not claim that "no-one has ever been infected with
prion disease from eating venison." Our conclusion stating that we found no
strong evidence of CWD transmission to humans in the article you quoted or in
any other forum is limited to the patients we investigated.
Ermias Belay, M.D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 10:15 AM
To: rr26k@nih.gov; rrace@niaid.nih.gov; ebb8@CDC.GOV
Subject: TO CDC AND NIH - PUB MED- 3 MORE DEATHS - CWD - YOUNG HUNTERS
Sunday, November 10, 2002 6:26 PM ......snip........end..............TSS
Thursday, April 03, 2008
A prion disease of cervids: Chronic wasting disease
2008 1: Vet Res. 2008 Apr 3;39(4):41
A prion disease of cervids: Chronic wasting disease
Sigurdson CJ.
snip...
*** twenty-seven CJD patients who regularly consumed venison were reported
to the Surveillance Center***,
snip...
full text ;
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Travel History, Hunting, and Venison Consumption Related to Prion Disease
Exposure, 2006-2007 FoodNet Population Survey Journal of the American Dietetic
Association Volume 111, Issue 6 , Pages 858-863, June 2011.
Travel History, Hunting, and Venison Consumption Related to Prion Disease
Exposure, 2006-2007 FoodNet Population Survey
Joseph Y. Abrams, MPH, Ryan A. Maddox, MPH , Alexis R. Harvey, MPH ,
Lawrence B. Schonberger, MD , Ermias D. Belay, MD
Accepted 15 November 2010. Abstract Full Text PDF References .
Abstract
The transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to human beings
and the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) among cervids have prompted
concerns about zoonotic transmission of prion diseases. Travel to the United
Kingdom and other European countries, hunting for deer or elk, and venison
consumption could result in the exposure of US residents to the agents that
cause BSE and CWD. The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network 2006-2007
population survey was used to assess the prevalence of these behaviors among
residents of 10 catchment areas across the United States. Of 17,372 survey
respondents, 19.4% reported travel to the United Kingdom since 1980, and 29.5%
reported travel to any of the nine European countries considered to be
BSE-endemic since 1980. The proportion of respondents who had ever hunted deer
or elk was 18.5%, and 1.2% had hunted deer or elk in a CWD–endemic area. More
than two thirds (67.4%) reported having ever eaten deer or elk meat. Respondents
who traveled spent more time in the United Kingdom (median 14 days) than in any
other BSE-endemic country. Of the 11,635 respondents who had consumed venison,
59.8% ate venison at most one to two times during their year of highest
consumption, and 88.6% had obtained all of their meat from the wild. The survey
results were useful in determining the prevalence and frequency of behaviors
that could be important factors for foodborne prion transmission.
"These findings indicate that a high percentage of the United States
population engages in hunting and/or venison consumption. If CWD continues to
spread to more areas across the country, a substantial number of people could
potentially be exposed to the infectious agent."
Potential Venison Exposure Among FoodNet Population Survey Respondents,
2006-2007
Ryan A. Maddox1*, Joseph Y. Abrams1, Robert C. Holman1, Lawrence B.
Schonberger1, Ermias D. Belay1 Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases,
National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA *Corresponding author e-mail:
rmaddox@cdc.gov
The foodborne transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy to humans,
resulting in variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, indicates that humans can be
susceptible to animal prion diseases. However, it is not known whether foodborne
exposure to the agent causing chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids can cause
human disease. The United States Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network
(FoodNet) conducts surveillance for foodborne diseases through an extensive
survey administered to respondents in selected states. To describe the frequency
of deer and elk hunting and venison consumption, five questions were included in
the 2006-2007 FoodNet survey. This survey included 17,372 respondents in ten
states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New
Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Tennessee. Of these respondents, 3,220 (18.5%)
reported ever hunting deer or elk, with 217 (1.3%) reporting hunting in a
CWD-endemic area (northeastern Colorado, southeastern Wyoming, and southwestern
Nebraska). Of the 217 CWD-endemic area hunters, 74 (34.1%) were residents of
Colorado. Respondents reporting hunting were significantly more likely to be
male than female (prevalence ratio: 3.3, 95% confidence interval: 3.1-3.6) and,
in general, older respondents were significantly more likely to report hunting
than younger respondents. Venison consumption was reported by more than half
(67.4%) of the study population, and most venison consumers (94.1%) reported
that at least half of their venison came from the wild. However, more than half
(59.1%) of the consumers reported eating venison only one to five times in their
life or only once or twice a year. These findings indicate that a high
percentage of the United States population engages in hunting and/or venison
consumption. If CWD continues to spread to more areas across the country, a
substantial number of people could potentially be exposed to the infectious
agent.
Monday, May 23, 2011 CDC
Assesses Potential Human Exposure to Prion Diseases Travel Warning
Public release date: 23-May-2011
Contact: Francesca Costanzo adajmedia@elsevier.com 215-239-3249 Elsevier
Health Sciences
CDC assesses potential human exposure to prion diseases Study results
reported in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association Philadelphia, PA,
May 23, 2011 – Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) have examined the potential for human exposure to prion diseases, looking
at hunting, venison consumption, and travel to areas in which prion diseases
have been reported in animals. Three prion diseases in particular – bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or "Mad Cow Disease"), variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease (vCJD), and chronic wasting disease (CWD) – were specified in the
investigation. The results of this investigation are published in the June issue
of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
"While prion diseases are rare, they are generally fatal for anyone who
becomes infected. More than anything else, the results of this study support the
need for continued surveillance of prion diseases," commented lead investigator
Joseph Y. Abrams, MPH, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious
Diseases, CDC, Atlanta."But it's also important that people know the facts about
these diseases, especially since this study shows that a good number of people
have participated in activities that may expose them to infection-causing
agents."
Although rare, human prion diseases such as CJD may be related to BSE.
Prion (proteinaceous infectious particles) diseases are a group of rare brain
diseases that affect humans and animals. When a person gets a prion disease,
brain function is impaired. This causes memory and personality changes,
dementia, and problems with movement. All of these worsen over time. These
diseases are invariably fatal. Since these diseases may take years to manifest,
knowing the extent of human exposure to possible prion diseases could become
important in the event of an outbreak.
CDC investigators evaluated the results of the 2006-2007 population survey
conducted by the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet). This
survey collects information on food consumption practices, health outcomes, and
demographic characteristics of residents of the participating Emerging
Infections Program sites. The survey was conducted in Connecticut, Georgia,
Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, and Tennessee, as well as five counties
in the San Francisco Bay area, seven counties in the Greater Denver area, and 34
counties in western and northeastern New York.
Survey participants were asked about behaviors that could be associated
with exposure to the agents causing BSE and CWD, including travel to the nine
countries considered to be BSE-endemic (United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland,
France, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain) and the
cumulative length of stay in each of those countries. Respondents were asked if
they ever had hunted for deer or elk, and if that hunting had taken place in
areas considered to be CWD-endemic (northeastern Colorado, southeastern Wyoming
or southwestern Nebraska). They were also asked if they had ever consumed
venison, the frequency of consumption, and whether the meat came from the wild.
The proportion of survey respondents who reported travel to at least one of
the nine BSE endemic countries since 1980 was 29.5%. Travel to the United
Kingdom was reported by 19.4% of respondents, higher than to any other
BSE-endemic country. Among those who traveled, the median duration of travel to
the United Kingdom (14 days) was longer than that of any other BSE-endemic
country. Travelers to the UK were more likely to have spent at least 30 days in
the country (24.9%) compared to travelers to any other BSE endemic country. The
prevalence and extent of travel to the UK indicate that health concerns in the
UK may also become issues for US residents.
The proportion of survey respondents reporting having hunted for deer or
elk was 18.5% and 1.2% reported having hunted for deer or elk in CWD-endemic
areas. Venison consumption was reported by 67.4% of FoodNet respondents, and
88.6% of those reporting venison consumption had obtained all of their meat from
the wild. These findings reinforce the importance of CWD surveillance and
control programs for wild deer and elk to reduce human exposure to the CWD
agent. Hunters in CWD-endemic areas are advised to take simple precautions such
as: avoiding consuming meat from sickly deer or elk, avoiding consuming brain or
spinal cord tissues, minimizing the handling of brain and spinal cord tissues,
and wearing gloves when field-dressing carcasses.
According to Abrams, "The 2006-2007 FoodNet population survey provides
useful information should foodborne prion infection become an increasing public
health concern in the future. The data presented describe the prevalence of
important behaviors and their associations with demographic characteristics.
Surveillance of BSE, CWD, and human prion diseases are critical aspects of
addressing the burden of these diseases in animal populations and how that may
relate to human health."
###
The article is "Travel history, hunting, and venison consumption related to
prion disease exposure, 2006-2007 FoodNet population survey" by Joseph Y.
Abrams, MPH; Ryan A. Maddox, MPH; Alexis R Harvey, MPH; Lawrence B. Schonberger,
MD; and Ermias D. Belay, MD. It appears in the Journal of the American Dietetic
Association, Volume 111, Issue 6 (June 2011) published by Elsevier.
In an accompanying podcast CDC's Joseph Y. Abrams discusses travel,
hunting, and eating venison in relation to prion diseases. It is available at http://adajournal.org/content/podcast.
also, they did not call this CWD postive meat back for the well being of
the ELK ;
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Noah’s Ark Holding, LLC, Dawson, MN RECALL Elk products contain meat
derived from an elk confirmed to have CWD NV, CA, TX, CO, NY, UT, FL, OK RECALLS
AND FIELD CORRECTIONS: FOODS CLASS II
___________________________________
PRODUCT
a) Elk Meat, Elk Tenderloin, Frozen in plastic vacuum packaging. Each
package is approximately 2 lbs., and each case is approximately 16 lbs.; Item
number 755125, Recall # F-129-9;
b) Elk Meat, Elk Trim, Frozen; Item number 755155, Recall # F-130-9;
c) Elk Meat, French Rack, Chilled. Item number 755132, Recall # F-131-9;
d) Elk Meat, Nude Denver Leg. Item number 755122, Recall # F-132-9;
e) Elk Meat, New York Strip Steak, Chilled. Item number 755128, Recall #
F-133-9;
f) Elk Meat, Flank Steak Frozen. Item number 755131, Recall # F-134-9;
CODE
Elk Meats with production dates of December 29, 30, and 31
RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
Recalling Firm: Sierra Meats, Reno, NV, by telephone on January 29, 2009
and press release on February 9, 2009.
Manufacturer: Noah’s Ark Holding, LLC, Dawson, MN. Firm initiated recall is
ongoing.
REASON
Elk products contain meat derived from an elk confirmed to have Chronic
Wasting Disease (CWD).
VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE
Unknown
DISTRIBUTION
NV, CA, TX, CO, NY, UT, FL, OK
___________________________________
CJD REPORT 1994 increased risk for consumption of veal and venison and lamb
CREUTZFELDT JAKOB DISEASE SURVEILLANCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THIRD ANNUAL
REPORT AUGUST 1994
Consumption of venison and veal was much less widespread among both cases
and controls. For both of these meats there was evidence of a trend with
increasing frequency of consumption being associated with increasing risk of
CJD. (not nvCJD, but sporadic CJD...tss)
These associations were largely unchanged when attention was restricted to
pairs with data obtained from relatives. ...
Table 9 presents the results of an analysis of these data.
There is STRONG evidence of an association between ‘’regular’’ veal eating
and risk of CJD (p = .0.01).
Individuals reported to eat veal on average at least once a year appear to
be at 13 TIMES THE RISK of individuals who have never eaten veal.
There is, however, a very wide confidence interval around this estimate.
There is no strong evidence that eating veal less than once per year is
associated with increased risk of CJD (p = 0.51).
The association between venison eating and risk of CJD shows similar
pattern, with regular venison eating associated with a 9 FOLD INCREASE IN RISK
OF CJD (p = 0.04).
There is some evidence that risk of CJD INCREASES WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY
OF LAMB EATING (p = 0.02).
The evidence for such an association between beef eating and CJD is weaker
(p = 0.14). When only controls for whom a relative was interviewed are included,
this evidence becomes a little STRONGER (p = 0.08).
snip...
It was found that when veal was included in the model with another
exposure, the association between veal and CJD remained statistically
significant (p = < 0.05 for all exposures), while the other exposures ceased
to be statistically significant (p = > 0.05).
snip...
In conclusion, an analysis of dietary histories revealed statistical
associations between various meats/animal products and INCREASED RISK OF CJD.
When some account was taken of possible confounding, the association between
VEAL EATING AND RISK OF CJD EMERGED AS THE STRONGEST OF THESE ASSOCIATIONS
STATISTICALLY. ...
snip...
In the study in the USA, a range of foodstuffs were associated with an
increased risk of CJD, including liver consumption which was associated with an
apparent SIX-FOLD INCREASE IN THE RISK OF CJD. By comparing the data from 3
studies in relation to this particular dietary factor, the risk of liver
consumption became non-significant with an odds ratio of 1.2 (PERSONAL
COMMUNICATION, PROFESSOR A. HOFMAN. ERASMUS UNIVERSITY, ROTTERDAM). (???...TSS)
snip...see full report ;
Thursday, October 10, 2013
CJD REPORT 1994 increased risk for consumption of veal and venison and lamb
CJD9/10022
October 1994
Mr R.N. Elmhirst Chairman British Deer Farmers Association Holly Lodge
Spencers Lane BerksWell Coventry CV7 7BZ
Dear Mr Elmhirst,
CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE (CJD) SURVEILLANCE UNIT REPORT
Thank you for your recent letter concerning the publication of the third
annual report from the CJD Surveillance Unit. I am sorry that you are
dissatisfied with the way in which this report was published.
The Surveillance Unit is a completely independant outside body and the
Department of Health is committed to publishing their reports as soon as they
become available. In the circumstances it is not the practice to circulate the
report for comment since the findings of the report would not be amended. In
future we can ensure that the British Deer Farmers Association receives a copy
of the report in advance of publication.
The Chief Medical Officer has undertaken to keep the public fully informed
of the results of any research in respect of CJD. This report was entirely the
work of the unit and was produced completely independantly of the the
Department.
The statistical results reqarding the consumption of venison was put into
perspective in the body of the report and was not mentioned at all in the press
release. Media attention regarding this report was low key but gave a realistic
presentation of the statistical findings of the Unit. This approach to
publication was successful in that consumption of venison was highlighted only
once by the media ie. in the News at one television proqramme.
I believe that a further statement about the report, or indeed statistical
links between CJD and consumption of venison, would increase, and quite possibly
give damaging credence, to the whole issue. From the low key media reports of
which I am aware it seems unlikely that venison consumption will suffer
adversely, if at all.
http://web.archive.org/web/20030511010117/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1994/10/00003001.pdf
*** The potential impact of prion diseases on human health was greatly
magnified by the recognition that interspecies transfer of BSE to humans by beef
ingestion resulted in vCJD. While changes in animal feed constituents and
slaughter practices appear to have curtailed vCJD, there is concern that CWD of
free-ranging deer and elk in the U.S. might also cross the species barrier.
Thus, consuming venison could be a source of human prion disease. Whether BSE
and CWD represent interspecies scrapie transfer or are newly arisen prion
diseases is unknown. Therefore, the possibility of transmission of prion disease
through other food animals cannot be ruled out. There is evidence that vCJD can
be transmitted through blood transfusion. There is likely a pool of unknown size
of asymptomatic individuals infected with vCJD, and there may be asymptomatic
individuals infected with the CWD equivalent. These circumstances represent a
potential threat to blood, blood products, and plasma supplies.
PRION2013 CONGRESSIONAL ABSTRACTS CWD
Sunday, August 25, 2013
***Chronic Wasting Disease CWD risk factors, humans, domestic cats, blood,
and mother to offspring transmission
Sunday, July 21, 2013
*** As Chronic Wasting Disease CWD rises in deer herd, what about risk for
humans?
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Assessing the susceptibility of transgenic mice over-expressing deer prion
protein to bovine spongiform encephalopathy
WHAT about the sporadic CJD TSE proteins ?
WE now know that some cases of sporadic CJD are linked to atypical BSE and
atypical Scrapie, so why are not MORE concerned about the sporadic CJD, and all
it’s sub-types $$$
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease CJD cases rising North America updated report
August 2013
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease CJD cases rising North America with Canada seeing
an extreme increase of 48% between 2008 and 2010
> In 12 of 15 hospitals with neurosurgical incidents, a decision was
made to notify patients of their potential exposure.
SO, X number of patients, from 3 hospitals, where
''exposure to potentially CJD-contaminated instruments ''
took place on these patients, the final decision NOT to tell those folks
about the potential exposure to the CJD TSE prion
insane, thus, the TSE prion agent continues to spread. ...please see
further comments here ;
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Management of neurosurgical instruments and patients exposed to
creutzfeldt-jakob disease 2013 December
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol.
kind regards,
terry
posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at
11:33 AM
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