APHIS Provides Additional Information on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Indemnity Requests January 5, 2015 05:26 PM EST
APHIS Provides Additional Information on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
Indemnity Requests
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service sent this bulletin at
01/05/2015 05:26 PM EST
USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) currently has limited indemnity funding
available in FY 2015 for CWD-positive, CWD-exposed, and CWD-suspect animals. As
we stated in our Stakeholder Registry announcement (on September 19, 2014), we
will prioritize the CWD-exposed animals that pose the greatest risk for spread
of CWD for indemnity based on the availability of funding so that the
highest-risk animals can be addressed promptly. We intend to focus our efforts
on CWD-exposed animals identified in 2014 and may consider indemnity requests
for exposed animals within the past 5 years based on availability of remaining
federal funding and disease risk.
Owners that have CWD-exposed animals and are interested in requesting
indemnity should contact their local VS office or State officials that regulate
the farmed cervid industry in the state. Requests will be accepted through
February 6, 2015. VS will work with owners and state officials to gather
additional information and process requests. Indemnity requests for currently
known CWD-exposed animals received after February 6, 2015, will be considered if
federal CWD indemnity funding remains available.
Any newly reported CWD-positive herds and associated exposed animals will
be considered for indemnity as they are identified, based on available funding,
and on the disease risk presented by the animals relative to other exposed
animals for which indemnity requests are currently pending. We will reassess our
fiscal year indemnity funding on a quarterly basis so that providing indemnity
for lower-risk exposed animals does not exhaust available funding early in the
fiscal year. That is, if the funds available for the quarter have not been used
to indemnify higher-risk animals, lower-risk animals pending from previous
quarter(s) will be reconsidered.
An official appraisal conducted by an APHIS-approved appraiser and a herd
plan signed by APHIS, the State, and the owner are required to receive indemnity
payment. Any exposed animals that are confirmed positive by NVSL will result in
a change of their resident herd status to positive, with appropriate
state/federal regulatory actions.
*************************
Monday, March 03, 2014
APHIS to Offer Indemnity for CWD Positive Herds as Part of Its Cervid
Health Activities
INFORM: Cervid Health and States Indemnity FY 2015
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service sent this bulletin at
09/19/2014 05:22 PM EDT
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services
(VS) received a total of $3 million in appropriated funding to support cervid
health activities in fiscal year (FY) 2014, and made approximately $1.0 million
of this funding available for indemnity of chronic wasting disease (CWD)
positive, suspect, and exposed farmed cervids. All of the available FY2014
indemnity funding was used to depopulate three CWD-infected herds. However,
several States have asked about the availability of Federal indemnity funds for
CWD-exposed animals in the future.
VS plans to offer Federal indemnity for CWD-exposed cervids beginning in
FY2015. Briefly, we will prioritize the highest risk CWD-exposed animals for
indemnity based on the availability of funding. Any newly reported CWD-positive
herds will be considered for indemnity as they are identified, based first on
funding availability and secondly on the risk presented by the herd.
We will reassess our fiscal year funding on a quarterly basis so that
providing indemnity for exposed animals does not exhaust available funding early
in the fiscal year. By taking this fiscally cautious approach, we hope to
provide indemnity for positive herds identified later in the fiscal year while
removing high-risk animals from the landscape as soon as possible to minimize
the risk for disease spread. Further, removal and testing of these exposed
animals will provide a better understanding of the disease risk presented by
these animals/herds.
VS plans to work with our State and industry stakeholders on the criteria
to assess the risk and on the process through which States can request this
indemnity. These will be finalized in a VS Guidance Document in the near future.
We look forward to working with you to implement this process in the coming
year.
***
$$$ Several CWD positive and exposed herds are currently under state
quarantine in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. APHIS has engaged all three states
to see if they plan to request indemnity on behalf of the herds’ producers $$$
Stakeholder Announcement: APHIS to Offer Indemnity for CWD Positive Herds
as Part of Its Cervid Health Activities
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service sent this bulletin at
03/03/2014 12:10 PM EST
APHIS to Offer Indemnity for CWD Positive Herds as Part of Its Cervid
Health Activities
WASHINGTON, March 03, 2014— APHIS received a total of $3 million in
appropriated funding to support cervid health activities in fiscal year 2014,
and it will make $1.0 million available for indemnity of chronic wasting disease
(CWD) positive, suspect, and exposed farmed cervids.
APHIS is committed to partnering with states and industry to reduce the
incidence of CWD in farmed cervid populations. The availability of indemnity
funds provides support to affected producers to protect the health of farm
cervids and to minimize the spread of CWD to other cervid populations.
Several CWD positive and exposed herds are currently under state quarantine
in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. APHIS has engaged all three states to see if
they plan to request indemnity on behalf of the herds’ producers.
Indemnity will be based on the APHIS-approved appraised value of the
animals as well as depopulation and disposal costs. In order to be eligible for
indemnity, states need to provide herd plans in accordance with APHIS’
established CWD regulatory requirements (9 CFR 55).
APHIS is also providing $200,000 in support of CWD research efforts at the
Agency’s National Wildlife Research Center to develop live animal diagnostic
tests. The remaining funding for APHIS’ cervid health programs will support the
Cervid Tuberculosis Accreditation Program, the CWD voluntary Herd Certification
Program, and general program activities.
Monday, March 03, 2014
*** APHIS to Offer Indemnity for CWD Positive Herds as Part of Its Cervid
Health Activities ???
Still, the Brakkes will receive $917,100 from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture as payment for the animals that were killed.
Thursday, October 02, 2014
*** IOWA TEST RESULTS FROM CAPTIVE DEER HERD WITH CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
RELEASED 79.8 percent of the deer tested positive for the disease
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:
*** We conclude that TSE infectivity is likely to survive burial for long
time periods with minimal loss of infectivity and limited movement from the
original burial site. However PMCA results have shown that there is the
potential for rainwater to elute TSE related material from soil which could lead
to the contamination of a wider area. These experiments reinforce the importance
of risk assessment when disposing of TSE risk materials.
*** The results show that even highly diluted PrPSc can bind efficiently
to polypropylene, stainless steel, glass, wood and stone and propagate the
conversion of normal prion protein. For in vivo experiments, hamsters were ic
injected with implants incubated in 1% 263K-infected brain homogenate. Hamsters,
inoculated with 263K-contaminated implants of all groups, developed typical
signs of prion disease, whereas control animals inoculated with non-contaminated
materials did not.
PRION 2014 CONFERENCE
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD
A FEW FINDINGS ;
Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first established experimental
model of CWD in TgSB3985. We found evidence for co-existence or divergence of
two CWD strains adapted to Tga20 mice and their replication in TgSB3985 mice.
Finally, we observed phenotypic differences between cervid-derived CWD and
CWD/Tg20 strains upon propagation in TgSB3985 mice. Further studies are underway
to characterize these strains.
We conclude that TSE infectivity is likely to survive burial for long time
periods with minimal loss of infectivity and limited movement from the original
burial site. However PMCA results have shown that there is the potential for
rainwater to elute TSE related material from soil which could lead to the
contamination of a wider area. These experiments reinforce the importance of
risk assessment when disposing of TSE risk materials.
The results show that even highly diluted PrPSc can bind efficiently to
polypropylene, stainless steel, glass, wood and stone and propagate the
conversion of normal prion protein. For in vivo experiments, hamsters were ic
injected with implants incubated in 1% 263K-infected brain homogenate. Hamsters,
inoculated with 263K-contaminated implants of all groups, developed typical
signs of prion disease, whereas control animals inoculated with non-contaminated
materials did not.
Our data establish that meadow voles are permissive to CWD via peripheral
exposure route, suggesting they could serve as an environmental reservoir for
CWD. Additionally, our data are consistent with the hypothesis that at least two
strains of CWD circulate in naturally-infected cervid populations and provide
evidence that meadow voles are a useful tool for CWD strain typing.
Conclusion. CWD prions are shed in saliva and urine of infected deer as
early as 3 months post infection and throughout the subsequent >1.5 year
course of infection. In current work we are examining the relationship of
prionemia to excretion and the impact of excreted prion binding to surfaces and
particulates in the environment.
Conclusion. CWD prions (as inferred by prion seeding activity by RT-QuIC)
are shed in urine of infected deer as early as 6 months post inoculation and
throughout the subsequent disease course. Further studies are in progress
refining the real-time urinary prion assay sensitivity and we are examining more
closely the excretion time frame, magnitude, and sample variables in
relationship to inoculation route and prionemia in naturally and experimentally
CWD-infected cervids.
Conclusions. Our results suggested that the odds of infection for CWD is
likely controlled by areas that congregate deer thus increasing direct
transmission (deer-to-deer interactions) or indirect transmission
(deer-to-environment) by sharing or depositing infectious prion proteins in
these preferred habitats. Epidemiology of CWD in the eastern U.S. is likely
controlled by separate factors than found in the Midwestern and endemic areas
for CWD and can assist in performing more efficient surveillance efforts for the
region.
Conclusions. During the pre-symptomatic stage of CWD infection and
throughout the course of disease deer may be shedding multiple LD50 doses per
day in their saliva. CWD prion shedding through saliva and excreta may account
for the unprecedented spread of this prion disease in nature.
see full text and more ;
Monday, June 23, 2014
*** PRION 2014 CONFERENCE CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD
*** Infectious agent of sheep scrapie may persist in the environment for at
least 16 years***
Gudmundur Georgsson1, Sigurdur Sigurdarson2 and Paul Brown3
New studies on the heat resistance of hamster-adapted scrapie agent:
Threshold survival after ashing at 600°C suggests an inorganic template of
replication
Prion Infected Meat-and-Bone Meal Is Still Infectious after Biodiesel
Production
Detection of protease-resistant cervid prion protein in water from a
CWD-endemic area
A Quantitative Assessment of the Amount of Prion Diverted to Category 1
Materials and Wastewater During Processing
Rapid assessment of bovine spongiform encephalopathy prion inactivation by
heat treatment in yellow grease produced in the industrial manufacturing process
of meat and bone meals
PPo4-4:
Survival and Limited Spread of TSE Infectivity after Burial
PPo4-4:
Survival and Limited Spread of TSE Infectivity after Burial
Karen Fernie, Allister Smith and Robert A. Somerville The Roslin Institute
and R(D)SVS; University of Edinburgh; Roslin, Scotland UK
Scrapie and chronic wasting disease probably spread via environmental
routes, and there are also concerns about BSE infection remaining in the
environment after carcass burial or waste 3disposal. In two demonstration
experiments we are determining survival and migration of TSE infectivity when
buried for up to five years, as an uncontained point source or within bovine
heads. Firstly boluses of TSE infected mouse brain were buried in lysimeters
containing either sandy or clay soil. Migration from the boluses is being
assessed from soil cores taken over time. With the exception of a very small
amount of infectivity found 25 cm from the bolus in sandy soil after 12 months,
no other infectivity has been detected up to three years. Secondly, ten bovine
heads were spiked with TSE infected mouse brain and buried in the two soil
types. Pairs of heads have been exhumed annually and assessed for infectivity
within and around them. After one year and after two years, infectivity was
detected in most intracranial samples and in some of the soil samples taken from
immediately surrounding the heads. The infectivity assays for the samples in and
around the heads exhumed at years three and four are underway. These data show
that TSE infectivity can survive burial for long periods but migrates slowly.
Risk assessments should take into account the likely long survival rate when
infected material has been buried.
The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from DEFRA.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD TSE PRION DISEASE AKA MAD DEER DISIEASE USDA
USAHA INC DECEMBER 28, 2014
***Given that scrapie prions are widespread on the surfaces of affected
farms (Maddison and others 2010a), irrespective of the source of the infectious
prions in the pens, this study clearly highlights the difficulties that are
faced with the effective removal of environmentally associated scrapie
infectivity.
***This is likely to be paralleled in CWD which shows strong similarities
to scrapie in terms of both the dissemination of prions into the environment and
the facile mode of disease transmission. These data further contribute to the
understanding that prion diseases can be highly transmissible between
susceptible individuals not just by direct contact but through highly stable
environmental reservoirs that are refractory to decontamination.
***The presence of these environmentally associated prions in farm
buildings make the control of these diseases a considerable challenge,
especially in animal species such as goats where there is lack of genetic
resistance to scrapie and, therefore, no scope to re-stock farms with animals
that are resistant to scrapie.
***These data suggest that recommended current guidelines for the
decontamination of farm buildings following outbreaks of scrapie do little to
reduce the titre of infectious scrapie material and that environmental
recontamination could also be an issue associated with these premises.
Scrapie Sheep Goats Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE)
Accepted October 12, 2014. Published Online First 31 October 2014
Monday, November 3, 2014
Persistence of ovine scrapie infectivity in a farm environment following
cleaning and decontamination
PPo3-22:
Detection of Environmentally Associated PrPSc on a Farm with Endemic
Scrapie
Ben C. Maddison,1 Claire A. Baker,1 Helen C. Rees,1 Linda A. Terry,2 Leigh
Thorne,2 Susan J. Belworthy2 and Kevin C. Gough3 1ADAS-UK LTD; Department of
Biology; University of Leicester; Leicester, UK; 2Veterinary Laboratories
Agency; Surry, KT UK; 3Department of Veterinary Medicine and Science; University
of Nottingham; Sutton Bonington, Loughborough UK
Key words: scrapie, evironmental persistence, sPMCA
Ovine scrapie shows considerable horizontal transmission, yet the routes of
transmission and specifically the role of fomites in transmission remain poorly
defined. Here we present biochemical data demonstrating that on a
scrapie-affected sheep farm, scrapie prion contamination is widespread. It was
anticipated at the outset that if prions contaminate the environment that they
would be there at extremely low levels, as such the most sensitive method
available for the detection of PrPSc, serial Protein Misfolding Cyclic
Amplification (sPMCA), was used in this study. We investigated the distribution
of environmental scrapie prions by applying ovine sPMCA to samples taken from a
range of surfaces that were accessible to animals and could be collected by use
of a wetted foam swab. Prion was amplified by sPMCA from a number of these
environmental swab samples including those taken from metal, plastic and wooden
surfaces, both in the indoor and outdoor environment. At the time of sampling
there had been no sheep contact with these areas for at least 20 days prior to
sampling indicating that prions persist for at least this duration in the
environment. These data implicate inanimate objects as environmental reservoirs
of prion infectivity which are likely to contribute to disease transmission.
2012
PO-039: A comparison of scrapie and chronic wasting disease in white-tailed
deer
Justin Greenlee, Jodi Smith, Eric Nicholson US Dept. Agriculture;
Agricultural Research Service, National Animal Disease Center; Ames, IA USA
snip...
The results of this study suggest that there are many similarities in the
manifestation of CWD and scrapie in WTD 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 similar to 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 WTD 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
PrPSc by IHC and WB. Similar to IC inoculated deer, samples from these deer
exhibited two different molecular profiles: samples from obex resembled CWD
whereas those from cerebrum were similar to the original scrapie inoculum. On
further examination by WB using a panel of antibodies, the tissues from deer
with scrapie exhibit properties differing from tissues either from sheep with
scrapie or WTD with CWD. Samples from WTD with CWD or sheep with scrapie are
strongly immunoreactive when probed with mAb P4, however, samples from WTD with
scrapie are only weakly immunoreactive. In contrast, when probed with mAb’s 6H4
or SAF 84, samples from sheep with scrapie and WTD with CWD are weakly
immunoreactive and samples from WTD with scrapie are strongly positive. This
work demonstrates that WTD are highly susceptible to sheep scrapie, but on first
passage, scrapie in WTD is differentiable from CWD.
2011
*** After a natural route of exposure, 100% of white-tailed deer were
susceptible to scrapie.
*** We hypothesize that both BSE prions and CWD prions passaged through
felines will seed human recPrP more efficiently than BSE or CWD from the
original hosts, evidence that the new host will dampen the species barrier
between humans and BSE or CWD. The new host effect is particularly relevant as
we investigate potential means of trans-species transmission of prion disease.
Veterinary Pathology Onlinevet.sagepub.com Published online before print
February 27, 2014, doi: 10.1177/0300985814524798 Veterinary Pathology February
27, 2014 0300985814524798
Lesion Profiling and Subcellular Prion Localization of Cervid Chronic
Wasting Disease in Domestic Cats
D. M. Seelig1⇑ A. V. Nalls1 M. Flasik2 V. Frank1 S. Eaton2 C. K. Mathiason1
E. A. Hoover1 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado
State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA 2Department of Biomedical Sciences,
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA D. M. Seelig, University of
Minnesota, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Room 339 VetMedCtrS,
6192A (Campus Delivery Code), 1352 Boyd Ave, St Paul, MN 55108, USA. Email
address: dseelig@umn.edu
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an efficiently transmitted, fatal, and
progressive prion disease of cervids with an as yet to be fully clarified host
range. While outbred domestic cats (Felis catus) have recently been shown to be
susceptible to experimental CWD infection, the neuropathologic features of the
infection are lacking. Such information is vital to provide diagnostic power in
the event of natural interspecies transmission and insights into host and strain
interactions in interspecies prion infection. Using light microscopy and
immunohistochemistry, we detail the topographic pattern of neural spongiosis
(the “lesion profile”) and the distribution of misfolded prion protein in the
primary and secondary passage of feline CWD (FelCWD). We also evaluated cellular
and subcellular associations between misfolded prion protein (PrPD) and central
nervous system neurons and glial cell populations. From these studies, we (1)
describe the novel neuropathologic profile of FelCWD, which is distinct from
either cervid CWD or feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE), and (2) provide
evidence of serial passage-associated interspecies prion adaptation. In
addition, we demonstrate through confocal analysis the successful
co-localization of PrPD with neurons, astrocytes, microglia, lysosomes, and
synaptophysin, which, in part, implicates each of these in the neuropathology of
FelCWD. In conclusion, this work illustrates the simultaneous role of both host
and strain in the development of a unique FelCWD neuropathologic profile and
that such a profile can be used to discriminate between FelCWD and FSE.
prion chronic wasting disease immunohistochemistry interspecies cat feline
spongiform encephalopathy transmissible spongiform encephalopathy adaptation
species barrier
Sunday, March 09, 2014
Lesion Profiling and Subcellular Prion Localization of Cervid Chronic
Wasting Disease in Domestic Cats
Monday, August 8, 2011
*** Susceptibility of Domestic Cats to CWD Infection ***
Oral.29: Susceptibility of Domestic Cats to CWD Infection
Amy Nalls, Nicholas J. Haley, Jeanette Hayes-Klug, Kelly Anderson, Davis M.
Seelig, Dan S. Bucy, Susan L. Kraft, Edward A. Hoover and Candace K.
Mathiason†
Colorado State University; Fort Collins, CO USA†Presenting author; Email:
ckm@lamar.colostate.edu
Domestic and non-domestic cats have been shown to be susceptible to one
prion disease, feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE), thought to be transmitted
through consumption of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) contaminated meat.
Because domestic and free ranging felids scavenge cervid carcasses, including
those in CWD affected areas, we evaluated the susceptibility of domestic cats to
CWD infection experimentally. Groups of n = 5 cats each were inoculated either
intracerebrally (IC) or orally (PO) with CWD deer brain homogenate. Between
40–43 months following IC inoculation, two cats developed mild but progressive
symptoms including weight loss, anorexia, polydipsia, patterned motor behaviors
and ataxia—ultimately mandating euthanasia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on
the brain of one of these animals (vs. two age-matched controls) performed just
before euthanasia revealed increased ventricular system volume, more prominent
sulci, and T2 hyperintensity deep in the white matter of the frontal hemisphere
and in cortical grey distributed through the brain, likely representing
inflammation or gliosis. PrPRES and widely distributed peri-neuronal vacuoles
were demonstrated in the brains of both animals by immunodetection assays. No
clinical signs of TSE have been detected in the remaining primary passage cats
after 80 months pi. Feline-adapted CWD was sub-passaged into groups (n=4 or 5)
of cats by IC, PO, and IP/SQ routes. Currently, at 22 months pi, all five IC
inoculated cats are demonstrating abnormal behavior including increasing
aggressiveness, pacing, and hyper responsiveness.
*** Two of these cats have developed rear limb ataxia. Although the limited
data from this ongoing study must be considered preliminary, they raise the
potential for cervid-to-feline transmission in nature.
AD.63:
Susceptibility of domestic cats to chronic wasting disease
Amy V.Nalls,1 Candace Mathiason,1 Davis Seelig,2 Susan Kraft,1 Kevin
Carnes,1 Kelly Anderson,1 Jeanette Hayes-Klug1 and Edward A. Hoover1 1Colorado
State University; Fort Collins, CO USA; 2University of Minnesota; Saint Paul, MN
USA
Domestic and nondomestic cats have been shown to be susceptible to feline
spongiform encephalopathy (FSE), almost certainly caused by consumption of
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-contaminated meat. Because domestic and
free-ranging nondomestic felids scavenge cervid carcasses, including those in
areas affected by chronic wasting disease (CWD), we evaluated the susceptibility
of the domestic cat (Felis catus) to CWD infection experimentally. Cohorts of 5
cats each were inoculated either intracerebrally (IC) or orally (PO) with
CWD-infected deer brain. At 40 and 42 mo post-inoculation, two IC-inoculated
cats developed signs consistent with prion disease, including a stilted gait,
weight loss, anorexia, polydipsia, patterned motor behaviors, head and tail
tremors, and ataxia, and progressed to terminal disease within 5 mo. Brains from
these two cats were pooled and inoculated into cohorts of cats by IC, PO, and
intraperitoneal and subcutaneous (IP/SC) routes. Upon subpassage, feline-adapted
CWD (FelCWD) was transmitted to all IC-inoculated cats with a decreased
incubation period of 23 to 27 mo. FelCWD was detected in the brains of all the
symptomatic cats by western blotting and immunohistochemistry and abnormalities
were seen in magnetic resonance imaging, including multifocal T2 fluid
attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) signal hyper-intensities, ventricular size
increases, prominent sulci, and white matter tract cavitation. Currently, 3 of 4
IP/SQ and 2 of 4 PO inoculared cats have developed abnormal behavior patterns
consistent with the early stage of feline CWD.
*** These results demonstrate that CWD can be transmitted and adapted to
the domestic cat, thus raising the issue of potential cervid-to- feline
transmission in nature.
www.landesbioscience.com
PO-081: Chronic wasting disease in the cat— Similarities to feline
spongiform encephalopathy (FSE)
FELINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY FSE
From: Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2014 2:15 PM
Subject: CWD TSE PRION, TISSUE, BODY FLUIDS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTAMINATION
Quantitative Assessment of Prion Infectivity in Tissues and Body Fluids by
RT-QuIC
Davin M. Henderson1, Kristen A. Davenport1, Nicholas J. Haley2, Nathaniel
D. Denkers1, Candace K. Mathiason1 and Edward A. Hoover Jr1,3
+ Author Affiliations 1 Prion Research Center, Colorado State University,
USA; 2 Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, Kansas State
University, USA ↵3 E-mail: edward.hoover@colostate.edu Received 8 July 2014.
Accepted 6 October 2014.
Abstract
Prions are amyloid-forming proteins that cause transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies through a process involving the templated conversion of the
normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) to a pathogenic misfolded conformation.
Templated conversion has been modeled in several in vitro assays, including
serial protein misfolding amplification (sPMCA), amyloid seeding, and real time
quaking induced conversion (RT-QuIC). Because RT-QuIC measures formation of
amyloid fibrils in real time, it can be used to estimate the rate of seeded
conversion. Here we use samples from deer infected with chronic wasting disease
(CWD) in RT-QuIC to show that serial dilution of prion seed is linearly related
to the rate of amyloid formation over a range of 10-3 to 10-8 µg. We then used
an amyloid formation rate standard curve derived from a bioassayed reference
sample (CWD+ brain homogenate) to estimate the prion seed concentration and
infectivity in tissues, body fluids and excreta. Using these methods we estimate
that urine and saliva from CWD-infected deer contain between 1 and 5 LD50 per 10
ml, respectively. Thus, over the 1 to 2 year course of infection, a substantial
environmental reservoir of CWD prion contamination accumulates.
Amyloid Quantitation CWD Prion RT-QuIC TSE
P.141: Abundant prion shedding in CWD-infected deer revealed by Realtime
conversion
Edward A Hoover,1 Davin M Henderson,1 Nathaniel D Denkers,1 Candace K
Mathiason,1 Matteo Manca,2,3 and Byron Caughey2
1Prion Research Center, Colorado State University; Fort Collins, CO USA;
2Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, NI AID; Hamilton, MT USA; 3Department
of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari; Monserrato, Italy
Background/Introduction. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is unique among
prion diseases in its efficient lateral transmission in nature. While the
presence of infectious prions in body fluids and excreta of infected cervids has
been demonstrated by bioassay, the dynamics, magnitude, and consequences of
prion shedding remain unknown. The present studies were undertaken to determine
the kinetics, duration, and magnitude of prion shedding in infected white-tailed
deer.
Materials and Methods. Longitudinal samples were collected from
white-tailed deer over a 2-year span after either oral (n=11)] aerosol (n = 6)
CWD exposure. The assay protocol employed phosphotungstic acid precipitation of
either whole saliva or the pelleted fraction of urine to seed recombinant Syrian
hamster prion PrP substrate in RT-QuIC reactions. Prion seeding activity was
assayed in 8 replicates of each sample employing thioflavin T detection in a
96-well plate-based fluorometer. Prion seeding reaction rate was determined by
taking the inverse of the time at which samples exceeded a threshold of 5
standard deviations above the mean fluorescence of negative controls (1/time to
threshold). Seeding activity was quantitated by comparing the realtime
conversion reaction rate to a standard curve derived from a reference bioassayed
brain pool homogenate from deer with terminal CWD.
Results. We analyzed >200 longitudinally collected, blinded, then
randomized saliva and urine samples from 17 CWDinfected and 3 uninfected
white-tailed deer. We detected prion shedding as early as 3 months post exposure
and sustained thereafter throughout the disease course in both aerosol and
orally exposed deer. The incidence of non-specific false positive results from
>500 saliva and urine samples from negative control deer was 0.8%. By
comparing real-time reaction rates for these body fluids to a bioassayed
serially diluted brain control, we estimated that ≤1 ml of saliva or urine from
pre-symptomatic infected deer constitutes a lethal infectious prion dose.
Conclusion. CWD prions are shed in saliva and urine of infected deer as
early as 3 months post infection and throughout the subsequent >1.5 year
course of infection. In current work we are examining the relationship of
prionemia to excretion and the impact of excreted prion binding to surfaces and
particulates in the environment.
Acknowledgments. Support: NIH-RO1-NS-061902; Morris Animal Foundation
D12ZO-045
P.154: Urinary shedding of prions in Chronic Wasting Disease infected
white-tailed deer
Nathaniel D Denkers,1 Davin M Henderson, 1 Candace K Mathiason,1 and Edward
A Hoover1 1Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and
Pathology, Colorado State University; Fort Collins, CO USA
Background/Introduction. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is unique among
prion diseases in its efficient lateral transmission in nature, yet the dynamics
and magnitude of shedding and its immediate and long term consequences remain
unknown. The present study was designed to determine the frequency and time span
in which CWD prions are shed in urine from infected white-tailed deer using
adapted real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) methodology.
Materials and Methods. Longitudinal urine samples were collected by free
catch or catheterization over a 2-year period from oral-route infected [CWD+ (n
= 11)] and aerosol-route-infected [CWD+ (n = 6); CWD- (n = 3)] white-tailed
deer. High speed centrifugation pelleted material from 500 µl of urine was
treated with sodium phosphotungstic acid (Na-PTA), resuspended in 0.05% SDS
buffer, and used as seed in RT-QuIC assays employing recombinant Syrian hamster
prion PrP substrate. Eight (8) replicates of each sample were run and prion
seeding activity was recorded as thioflavin T binding fluorescence (480 nm
emission) using a fluorimeter-shaker. Samples were considered positive if they
crossed an established threshold (5 standard deviations above the negative mean
fluorescence).
Results. In our oral-route inoculation studies, prion seeding activity has
been demonstrated in urine collected at 6 months post-inoculation in 6 of 10
deer (11 of 80 replicates; 14%), and intermittently at later time points in all
11 CWD+ exposed deer. Our aerosol-route inoculation studies also showed prion
seeding activity in urine collected at 6 months post-inoculation in 1 of 2 deer
(3 of 16 replicates; 19%), and intermittently at later time points in 4 of 6
CWD+ exposed deer. Urine from sham-inoculated control deer and all baseline
samples yielded 3 false-positive prion seeding activities (3 of 352 replicates;
0.8%).
Conclusion. CWD prions (as inferred by prion seeding activity by RT-QuIC)
are shed in urine of infected deer as early as 6 months post inoculation and
throughout the subsequent disease course. Further studies are in progress
refining the real-time urinary prion assay sensitivity and we are examining more
closely the excretion time frame, magnitude, and sample variables in
relationship to inoculation route and prionemia in naturally and experimentally
CWD-infected cervids.
Acknowledgments. Support: NIH: RO1-NS-061902 and Morris Animal Foundation:
D12ZO-045
P.121: Efficient transmission of prion disease through environmental
contamination
Sandra Pritzkow, Rodrigo Morales, and Claudio Soto Mitchell Center for
Alzheimer’s disease and related Brain disorders; University of Texas Medical
School at Houston; Hourston, TX USA
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disorder effecting captive and
free-ranging deer and elk. The efficient propagation suggests that horizontal
transmission through contaminated environment may play an important role. It has
been shown that infectious prions enter the environment through saliva, feces,
urine, blood or placenta tissue from infected animals, as well as by carcasses
from diseased animals and can stay infectious inside soil over several
years.
We hypothesize that environmental components getting in contact with
infectious prions can also play a role for the horizontal transmission of prion
diseases. To study this issue, surfaces composed of various environmentally
relevant materials were exposed to infectious prions and the attachment and
retention of infectious material was studied in vitro and in vivo. We analyzed
polypropylene, glass, stainless steel, wood, stone, aluminum, concrete and brass
surfaces exposed to 263K-infected brain homogenate. For in vitro analyses, the
material was incubated in serial dilutions of 263K-brain homogenate, washed
thoroughly and analyzed for the presence of PrPSc by PMCA. The results show that
even highly diluted PrPSc can bind efficiently to polypropylene, stainless
steel, glass, wood and stone and propagate the conversion of normal prion
protein. For in vivo experiments, hamsters were ic injected with implants
incubated in 1% 263K-infected brain homogenate. Hamsters, inoculated with
263K-contaminated implants of all groups, developed typical signs of prion
disease, whereas control animals inoculated with non-contaminated materials did
not.
In addition, in order to study the transmission in a more natural setting,
we exposed a group of hamster to habit in the presence of spheres composed of
various materials that were pretreated with 263K prions. Many of the hamsters
exposed to these contaminated materials developed typical signs of the disease
that were confirmed by immunohistological and biochemical analyses.
These findings suggest that various surfaces can efficiently bind
infectious prions and act as carriers of infectivity, suggesting that diverse
elements in the environment may play an important role in horizontal prion
transmission.
P.138: Phenotypic diversity in meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) prion
diseases following challenge with chronic wasting disease isolates
Christopher J Johnson,1 Christina M Carlson,1,2 Jay R Schneider,1 Jamie K
Wiepz,1 Crystal L Meyerett-Reid,3 Mark D Zabel,3 Joel A Pedersen,2 and Dennis M
Heisey1 1USGS National Wildlife Health Center; Madison, WI USA; 2University of
Wisconsin— Madison; Madison, WI USA; 3Colorado State University; Fort Collins,
CO USA
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disease of cervids (deer, elk and
moose), is spreading unchecked through large sections of North America.
Transmission of CWD among cervids is especially facile and can occur through
direct animal-toanimal contact and indirectly through contact with prions shed
from infected animals. The disease transmission threat posed by CWD to other
wildlife species remains unknown, but other species are inevitably exposed to
CWD by consumption of infectious materials and through contact with
environmental CWD contamination. In this study, we investigated the transmission
and adaptation of various white-tailed deer CWD isolates in the meadow vole
(Microtus pennsylvanicus), a native North American rodent that is sympatric with
current CWD epizootics that we have previously established is susceptible to
CWD. We found that serial subpassage of CWD from white-tailed deer homozygous
for glycine at position 96 (96GG) of the prion protein in meadow voles resulted
in the selection of a single prion strain that was characterized by homogeneity
in incubation period, abnormal prion protein (PrPTSE) glycoform ratio, lesion
profile and PrPTSE deposition pattern. In contrast, passage of CWD from
heterozygous 96GS genotype deer produced four unique disease phenotypes upon
first passage. Subpassage of these types ultimately resulted in selection of a
single strain by third passage that was distinct from the 96GG genotype
CWD-derived strain. We also establish that meadow voles are susceptible to CWD
via peripheral challenge, albeit with lower attack rates and longer incubation
periods. Interestingly, oral challenge of meadow voles with CWD resulted in
subclinical infection in primary passage animals, but manifested as clinical
prion disease upon subpassage. Our data establish that meadow voles are
permissive to CWD via peripheral exposure route, suggesting they could serve as
an environmental reservoir for CWD. Additionally, our data are consistent with
the hypothesis that at least two strains of CWD circulate in naturally-infected
cervid populations and provide evidence that meadow voles are a useful tool for
CWD strain typing.
P.146: Kinetics and cell association of chronic wasting disease prions shed
in saliva and urine of white-tailed deer
Nicholas J Haley,1,2 Scott Carver,3 Clare E Hoover,1 Kristen A Davenport,1
Candace K Mathiason,1 Glenn C Telling,1 and Edward A Hoover1
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of
Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Colorado State University; Fort
Collins, CO USA; 2Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of
Veterinary Medicine; Kansas State University; Manhattan, KS USA; 3School of
Zoology; University of Tasmania; Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Chronic wasting disease, a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of
deer, elk, and moose, is unique among prion diseases in its relatively efficient
horizontal transmissibility. Recent studies have shown that excreta—saliva,
urine, and feces—from CWD-positive cervids may play an important role in
horizontal transmission of CWD, and although the precise onset of shedding in
these excreta is unknown, it is thought to occur long before the onset of
clinical symptoms. High levels of prion seeding activity have been demonstrated
in excretory tissues of deer, including tongue, salivary glands, kidney, and
urinary bladder, though the origin(s) and cellular nature of infectious prions
in excreta is unknown. We hypothesized that excretory shedding of CWD prions in
saliva and urine would coincide with the appearance of PrPd appearance in
peripheral lymphatic tissues, and that infectivity would associate with cellular
preparations of these excreta. Following intracerebral inoculation of
susceptible Tg[CerPrP] mice, we observed efficient transmission in saliva
collected as early as 12 months post-exposure, coinciding with peripheral PrPd
appearance in tonsil biopsies; while urine collected at terminal disease was
only minimally infectious in transgenic mice. We also found that acellular
preparations of saliva, and cellular preparations of urine, were capable of
transmitting CWD infection to transgenic Tg[CerPrP] mice with incubation periods
similar to that of whole saliva or urine; saliva and urine from CWD-negative
deer failed to induce prion disease in these mice. Infectious titers were
determined for obex and bodily fluids, and were similar to those previously
described. These findings extend our understanding of CWD shedding in
white-tailed deer, and offer insight into the source and cellular associations
of infectious CWD prions in excreta.
P.178: Longitudinal quantitative analysis of CWD prions shed in saliva of
deer
Davin M Henderson, Nina Garbino, Nathaniel D Denkers, Amy V Nalls, Candace
K Mathiason, and Edward A Hoover Prion Research Center, College of Veterinary
Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University; Fort Collins, CO
USA
Background/Introduction. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is an emergent
rapidly spreading fatal prion disease of cervids (deer, elk and moose). CWD has
now been identified in 22 States (including two new states within the last
year), 2 Canadian provinces, and South Korea. Shedding of infectious prions in
excreta (saliva, urine, feces) may be an important factor in CWD transmission.
Here we apply an adapted version of a rapid in vitro assay [real-time
quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC)] to determine the time of onset, length,
pattern, and magnitude of prion shedding in saliva of infected deer.
Materials and Methods. The RT-QuIC assay was performed as previously
described in Henderson et al. PLoS-One (2013). Saliva samples were quantitated
by comparison to a RT-QuIC reaction rate standard curve of a bioassayed obex
sample from a terminally ill cervid.
Results. To better understand the onset and length of CWD prion shedding we
analyzed >150 longitudinally collected, blinded, then randomized saliva
samples from 17 CWD-infected and 3 uninfected white-tailed deer. We observed
prion shedding, as detected by the RT-QuIC assay, as early as 3 months from
inoculation and sustained shedding throughout the disease course in both aerosol
and orally exposed deer. We estimated the infectious lethal dose of prions shed
in saliva from infected deer by comparing real-time reaction rates of saliva
samples to a bioassayed serially diluted brain control. Our results indicate
that as little as 1 ml of saliva from pre-symptomatic infected deer constitutes
a lethal CWD prion dose.
Conclusions. During the pre-symptomatic stage of CWD infection and
throughout the course of disease deer may be shedding multiple LD50 doses per
day in their saliva. CWD prion shedding through saliva and excreta may account
for the unprecedented spread of this prion disease in nature. Acknowledgments.
Supported by NIH grant RO1-NS-061902 and grant D12ZO-045 from the Morris Animal
Foundation.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Mucosal immunization with an attenuated Salmonella vaccine partially
protects white-tailed deer from chronic wasting disease
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Evidence for zoonotic potential of ovine scrapie prions
Scrapie from sheep could infect humans with 'mad cow disease', study finds
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
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...
NEW URL LINK ;
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
FDA PART 589 -- SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED FROM USE IN ANIMAL FOOD OR FEED
VIOLATIONS OFFICIAL ACTION INDICATED OAI UPDATE DECEMBER 2014 BSE TSE PRION
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
NASDA BSE, CWD, SCRAPIE, TSE, PRION, Policy Statements updated with
amendments passed during the NASDA Annual Meeting Updated September 18, 2014
Singeltary submission ;
Program Standards: Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program and
Interstate Movement of Farmed or Captive Deer, Elk, and Moose
DOCUMENT ID: APHIS-2006-0118-0411
***Singeltary submission
Docket No. 00-108-10 Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program and
Interstate Movement of Farmed or Captive Deer, Elk, and Moose; Program
Standards
>>>The CWD herd certification program is a voluntary, cooperative
program that establishes minimum requirements for the interstate movement of
farmed or captive cervids, provisions for participating States to administer
Approved State CWD Herd Certification Programs, and provisions for participating
herds to become certified as having a low risk of being infected with
CWD<<<
Greetings USDA/APHIS et al,
I kindly would like to comment on Docket No. 00-108-10 Chronic Wasting
Disease Herd Certification Program and Interstate Movement of Farmed or Captive
Deer, Elk, and Moose; Program Standards.
I believe, and in my opinion, and this has been proven by scientific facts,
that without a validated and certified test for chronic wasting disease cwd,
that is 100% sensitive, and in use, any voluntary effort will be futile. the
voluntary ban on mad cow feed and SRMs have failed terribly, the bse mad cow
surveillance program has failed terribly, as well as the testing for bse tse
prion in cattle, this too has failed terrible. all this has been proven time and
time again via OIG reports and GOA reports.
I believe that until this happens, 100% cwd testing with validated test,
ALL MOVEMENT OF CERVIDS BETWEEN STATES MUST BE BANNED, AND THE BORDERS CLOSED TO
INTERSTATE MOVEMENT OF CERVIDS. there is simply to much at risk.
In my opinion, and the opinions of many scientists and DNR officials, that
these so called game farms are the cause of the spreading of chronic wasting
disease cwd through much negligence. the game farms in my opinion are not the
only cause, but a big factor. I kindly wish to submit the following to show what
these factors are, and why interstate movement of cervids must be banned.
...
snip...see full text and PDF ATTACHMENT HERE ;
Sunday, June 23, 2013
National Animal Health Laboratory Network Reorganization Concept Paper
(Document ID APHIS-2012-0105-0001)
***Terry S. Singeltary Sr. submission
Friday, November 22, 2013
Wasting disease is threat to the entire UK deer population CWD TSE PRION
disease in cervids
***SINGELTARY SUBMISSION
The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment
Committee has been looking into deer management, as you can see from the
following press release,
***and your email has been forwarded to the committee for information:
Friday, November 22, 2013
Wasting disease is threat to the entire UK deer population
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Welsh Government and Food Standards Agency Wales Joint Public Consultation
on the Proposed Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Wales) Regulations
2013
*** Singeltary Submission WG18417
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Chronic wasting disease threatens Canadian agriculture, Alberta MLA
says
Thursday, October 23, 2014
FIRST CASE OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CONFIRMED IN OHIO ON PRIVATE PRESERVE
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Tenth Pennsylvania Captive Deer
Tests Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE PRION DISEASE
Tuesday, October 07, 2014
Wisconsin white-tailed deer tested positive for CWD on a Richland County
breeding farm, and a case of CWD has been discovered on a Marathon County
hunting preserve
Thursday, October 02, 2014
IOWA TEST RESULTS FROM CAPTIVE DEER HERD WITH CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
RELEASED 79.8 percent of the deer tested positive for the disease
Thursday, July 03, 2014
*** How Chronic Wasting Disease is affecting deer population and what’s the
risk to humans and pets?
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
*** CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD TSE PRION DISEASE, GAME FARMS, AND
POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS THERE FROM
Saturday, October 25, 2014
118th USAHA Annual Meeting CWD and Captive Cerivds
cwd, international trade, spreading it around by interstate or National movement
spreading cwd around
Between 1996 and 2002, chronic wasting disease was diagnosed in 39 herds of farmed elk in Saskatchewan in a single epidemic. All of these herds were depopulated as part of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) disease eradication program. Animals, primarily over 12 mo of age, were tested for the presence CWD prions following euthanasia. Twenty-one of the herds were linked through movements of live animals with latent CWD from a single infected source herd in Saskatchewan, 17 through movements of animals from 7 of the secondarily infected herds.
***The source herd is believed to have become infected via importation of animals from a game farm in South Dakota where CWD was subsequently diagnosed (7,4). A wide range in herd prevalence of CWD at the time of herd depopulation of these herds was observed. Within-herd transmission was observed on some farms, while the disease remained confined to the introduced animals on other farms.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2081988/
spreading cwd around
Friday, May 13, 2011
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) outbreaks and surveillance program in the Republic of Korea
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) outbreaks and surveillance program in the Republic of Korea
Hyun-Joo Sohn, Yoon-Hee Lee, Min-jeong Kim, Eun-Im Yun, Hyo-Jin Kim, Won-Yong Lee, Dong-Seob Tark, In- Soo Cho, Foreign Animal Disease Research Division, National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service, Republic of Korea
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been recognized as an important prion disease in native North America deer and Rocky mountain elks. The disease is a unique member of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which naturally affects only a few species. CWD had been limited to USA and Canada until 2000.
On 28 December 2000, information from the Canadian government showed that a total of 95 elk had been exported from farms with CWD to Korea. These consisted of 23 elk in 1994 originating from the so-called “source farm” in Canada, and 72 elk in 1997, which had been held in pre export quarantine at the “source farm”.Based on export information of CWD suspected elk from Canada to Korea, CWD surveillance program was initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) in 2001.
All elks imported in 1997 were traced back, however elks imported in 1994 were impossible to identify. CWD control measures included stamping out of all animals in the affected farm, and thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises. In addition, nationwide clinical surveillance of Korean native cervids, and improved measures to ensure reporting of CWD suspect cases were implemented.
Total of 9 elks were found to be affected. CWD was designated as a notifiable disease under the Act for Prevention of Livestock Epidemics in 2002.
Additional CWD cases - 12 elks and 2 elks - were diagnosed in 2004 and 2005.
Since February of 2005, when slaughtered elks were found to be positive, all slaughtered cervid for human consumption at abattoirs were designated as target of the CWD surveillance program. Currently, CWD laboratory testing is only conducted by National Reference Laboratory on CWD, which is the Foreign Animal Disease Division (FADD) of National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS).
In July 2010, one out of 3 elks from Farm 1 which were slaughtered for the human consumption was confirmed as positive. Consequently, all cervid – 54 elks, 41 Sika deer and 5 Albino deer – were culled and one elk was found to be positive. Epidemiological investigations were conducted by Veterinary Epidemiology Division (VED) of NVRQS in collaboration with provincial veterinary services.
Epidemiologically related farms were found as 3 farms and all cervid at these farms were culled and subjected to CWD diagnosis. Three elks and 5 crossbreeds (Red deer and Sika deer) were confirmed as positive at farm 2.
All cervids at Farm 3 and Farm 4 – 15 elks and 47 elks – were culled and confirmed as negative.
Further epidemiological investigations showed that these CWD outbreaks were linked to the importation of elks from Canada in 1994 based on circumstantial evidences.
In December 2010, one elk was confirmed as positive at Farm 5. Consequently, all cervid – 3 elks, 11 Manchurian Sika deer and 20 Sika deer – were culled and one Manchurian Sika deer and seven Sika deer were found to be positive. This is the first report of CWD in these sub-species of deer.
Epidemiological investigations found that the owner of the Farm 2 in CWD outbreaks in July 2010 had co-owned the Farm 5.
In addition, it was newly revealed that one positive elk was introduced from Farm 6 of Jinju-si Gyeongsang Namdo.
All cervid – 19 elks, 15 crossbreed (species unknown) and 64 Sika deer – of Farm 6 were culled, but all confirmed as negative.
http://www.prion2011.ca/files/2011TSEBookletV6Final.pdf
http://www.prion2011.ca/files/PRION_2011_-_Posters_(May_5-11).pdf
http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2011/05/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-outbreaks.html
http://www.cwd-info.org/index.php/fuseaction/news.detail/ID/c792d0e56e0cb3ee3a6517e754729cac
WYOMING CWD 1998...
Harry Harju, assistant wildlife chief with Wyoming Fish and Game, reported that elk or game farming is now prohibited in Wyoming. Only one game ranch exists in Wyoming, which was operating before the passage of the law. The state of Wyoming was sued by several game breeders associations for not allowing elk farming. The game breeders lost their suit in the United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. The court maintained that the state had authority to regulate commerce and protect wildlife. Wyoming has had problems with big game farming originating in surrounding states. Wyoming has documented the harvest of red deer and their hybrids during elk hunts on the Snowy Mountain range that borders Colorado. Wyoming speculates that the red deer were escapees from Colorado game farms. Hybridization is viewed as threat to the genetic integrity of Wyoming's wild elk population. In a public hearing, the public voted against game farms in the state of Wyoming. Wyoming's Cattlemen's Association and Department of Agriculture opposed elk and big game farms, as well, particularly due to disease risks. Brucellosis is a major problem for wildlife and livestock in the Yellowstone Basin.
http://www.mad-cow.org/99feb_cwd_special.html#eee
http://www.mad-cow.org/99feb_cwd_special.html#ggg
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/news-1002304.aspx
I recall a good old country band from Texas called, ASLEEP AT THE
WHEEL...tss
USAHA
UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
2014 Resolution
118th Annual Meeting
October 16-22, 2014 ~ Kansas City, MO
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 28 APPROVED
SOURCE: COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK
SUBJECT MATTER: Epidemiology of Chronic Wasting Disease in Farmed
Cervids
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been recognized in wild cervids since the
1980s and in farmed cervid herds in the United States since 1997. Since 2012,
CWD has been detected in herds monitored longer than the five years required by
the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Herd Certification
Program.
Availability of complete epidemiological information is critical for
evaluating the effectiveness of science-based disease control programs; however,
very little information is available on CWD epidemiology in the 65 affected
farmed cervid herds. Analysis of data from herds with CWD will improve risk
assessment; and potentially identify factors contributing to the detection of
CWD in herds monitored longer than five years, enhance mitigation strategies to
reduce the likelihood of CWD in farmed cervids, and facilitate its earliest
detection when it is present.
RESOLUTION:
The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) requests the United
States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Veterinary Services to work cooperatively with the states to assemble, analyze,
summarize, and make available to the Committee on Captive Wildlife and
Alternative Livestock at the USAHA meeting in 2015, all pertinent information
from epidemiological investigations of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in farmed
and free-ranging cervid herds. Specific information requested includes but is
not limited to: prevalence of CWD in positive herds; demography of positive and
negative animals in infected herds; results from all tissues that were tested;
proximity of affected herd to wild and/or farmed cervid herds with CWD; duration
of monitoring prior to detection of the first case, including numbers of animals
in the herd, numbers tested and numbers not tested; results of trace-forward and
trace-back investigations; and all other pertinent data that will enhance risk
assessment of CWD in farmed cervids and identification of effective mitigation
measures.
USAHA
UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
2013 Resolution
117th Annual Meeting
October 17-23, 2013 ~ San Diego, CA
_______________________________________________________
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 16 – APPROVED
SOURCE: COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND
ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK
SUBJECT MATTER: NATIONAL REVIEW OF RESEARCH NEEDS FOR
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In the absence of an approved live animal test, vaccine, or recognition of
genetically resistant animals, depopulation and indemnity of the herd mates is
our only method of prevention to stop the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease
(CWD) to other animals.
A Federal CWD Rule has been implemented with the purpose of controlling the
spread of CWD versus eradication. To insure a successful program more tools are
needed to manage this disease.
RESOLUTION:
The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) requests that the
United States Department of Agriculture, and United States Department of
Interior arrange a diversified blue-ribbon panel (including: industry
stakeholders, university and federal researchers, Federal and State regulatory
agencies) to determine research needs and identify and prioritize intervention
strategies for the control of Chronic Wasting Disease.
SNIP...
* Resolution 3: USAHA requests that USDA and the DOI establish a panel to
determine research needs and identify and prioritize intervention strategies to
control chronic wasting disease.
Response: ARS is will work with APHIS and DOI scientist to organize a
workshop of experts at which they will assess gaps in our knowledge about
chronic wasting disease and establish research needs and intervention
strategies.
SNIP...
UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
2012 Resolution
___________________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 13 and 23 Combined APPROVED
SOURCE: COMMITTEE ON WILDLIFE DISEASES
COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK
SUBJECT MATTER: FUNDING FOR INDEMNITY OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE POSITIVE
OR EXPOSED ANIMALS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Administrator is authorized to pay for the purchase and destruction of
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) positive animals, CWD exposed animals, and CWD
suspect animals (9 CFR 55.2). Subject to available funding, the amount of the
Federal payment for any such animals will be 95 percent of the appraised value
established in accordance with 55.3 of this part, but the Federal payment shall
not exceed $3000.00 per animal.
In the past, the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services has provided funding to pay for
the purchase of farmed cervids that tested positive for CWD, were exposed to CWD
positive animals, or were suspect animals, in order to mitigate the risk of the
spread of CWD to other captive and wild cervids. Federal funding for this
purpose is no longer available and farmed cervidae producers are no longer
indemnified for the destruction of their animals. Without federal funding for
the purchase of destroyed animals, producers will suffer considerable financial
damages.
RESOLUTION:
The United States Animal Health Association urges the United States
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Veterinary Services to provide funding for a federal program to pay indemnity
for animals euthanized because of infection or exposure to Chronic Wasting
Disease.
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.
UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
2012 Resolution
___________________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 20 APPROVED
SOURCE: COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK
SUBJECT MATTER: 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.
2011 Resolution 14: CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE FUNDING FOR CAPTIVE CERVIDS
Resolution 15: CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE HERD CERTIFICATION AND INTERSTATE
MOVEMENT FINAL RULE
Resolution 16: LIVE ANIMAL TESTING FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
2010 Resolution 1: FUNDING FOR EVALUATION OF THE CHEMBIO ANTIBODY TEST AS
AN OFFICIAL TUBERCULOSIS PROGRAM TEST FOR CERVIDS
2007 Resolution 1: Publication of the Proposed Cervid Brucellosis Rule in
the Federal Register
Resolution 2: Finalize the Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification
Program and Interstate Movement of Farmed or Captive Deer, Elk and Moose Rule
Resolution 3: Vaccine for the Various Strains of Epizootic Hemorrhagic
Disease in Cervids
Resolution 4: Addition of Retrophayngeal Lymph Nodes as an Acceptable
Tissue, along with the Obex, in State CWD Monitoring Programs
Resolution 5: Funding and Planning of Integrated and Comprehensive Animal
Health Surveillance
2006 Resolution 13: The Use of the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay
(ELISA) Test to Diagnose Chronic Wasting Disease in Captive Wildlife
2004 Resolution 19: Homeland Security Presidential Directive 9
Sunday, December 28, 2014
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD TSE PRION DISEASE AKA MAD DEER DISIEASE USDA
USAHA INC DECEMBER 28, 2014
TSS
posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at
10:15 PM
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