Friday, May 30, 2025

Oklahoma Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE 2025 Update

Oklahoma Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE 2025 Update

***Oklahoma CWD TSE Prion 2025
Oklahoma deer hunters may have heard about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) afflicting deer and elk in other states. CWD is a neurological disease that affects the brains of deer, elk, moose, and other members of the deer family, creating holes that resemble those in sponges. It is always fatal to the animal, and no treatment or vaccine against CWD exists at this time. CWD has been confirmed in wild deer and/or elk in Oklahoma and surrounding states including Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas.

In 1998, CWD was confirmed in a captive elk herd in Oklahoma County which had originally been imported from Montana. The U.S. Department of Agriculture euthanized that herd to decrease the threat of the disease spreading into the surrounding free-ranging deer herd. Subsequent testing outside of the enclosure did not locate any positive animals. In April 2019, CWD was confirmed in one farmed Oklahoma elk in Lincoln County. ODWC announced it would step up surveillance in areas adjacent to the breeding facility. 

In 2022, the Wildlife Department was notified by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) of a road-killed deer infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD) found 2.5 miles south of the Oklahoma-Texas border near Felt, Okla., in southwestern Cimarron County. With the proximity of this infected deer to Oklahoma's border, ODWC activated its CWD Response Strategy. This includes the designation of Selective Surveillance Areas (SSA). 

ATTENTION Cimarron, Texas, Woodward, Major, and Woods County Hunters Two CWD-positive cases were confirmed in recent months in Oklahoma: one in Texas County about 4 miles north of Optima Wildlife Management Area, and another about 15 miles east of Woodward.

ODWC’s response plan in cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is to contain CWD within areas where it is detected and to minimize its artificial spread to other areas by establishing selective surveillance areas (SSA).

Previously, ODWC was notified by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) of a road-killed deer infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD) found 2.5 miles south of the Oklahoma-Texas border near Felt, Okla., in southwestern Cimarron County.

https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/resources/deer/cwd/ssa

In 2023, Oklahoma's first case of CWD was confirmed in a free-ranging wild deer in Texas County. ODWC has conducted CWD monitoring on hunter-harvested deer and road-killed deer and elk since 1999. This case marks the first time the disease has been detected in laboratory testing of tissue samples from more than 10,000 wild deer and elk throughout Oklahoma.

ODWC takes disease issues very seriously because of the potential effects on the state’s rich hunting traditions, human health concerns, the risk to natural resources, and the $1.2 billion impact hunting has on our state's economy annually. ODWC’s primary objective is to minimize the risk to Oklahoma's wild deer, elk, and other susceptible cervids within our borders.  

ODWC is reviewing and updating its response strategy in response to new scientific research and the disease's closer proximity to our state. ODWC is also coordinating with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, and other agencies to monitor the state’s captive cervid herds and provide information to the public as it becomes available.

Importation of Cervid Carcasses or Carcass Parts

No person shall import, transport, or possess any cervid carcass or part of a cervid carcass from outside the boundaries of Oklahoma. The following items are the only exceptions:

  • Antlers or antlers attached to clean skull plate or cleaned skulls (all tissue removed);
  • Animal quarters containing no spinal materials or meat with all parts of the spinal column removed;
  • Cleaned teeth;
  • Finished taxidermy products;
  • Hides or tanned products.

ODWC continues to monitor and test for the presence of CWD. A total of 79 wild deer were sampled and tested for CWD in conjunction with the 2017 herd health evaluations. CWD was not detected in any of the samples. Most recently, as part of the 2018 herd health evaluations, 42 samples were collected and submitted to Colorado State University for testing. None of those samples tested positive for the disease. Testing is expected to continue into future years.

CWD was first detected in captive mule deer in Colorado in 1967. It is a slow-progressing disease with a long time lag between becoming infected and showing outward symptoms.  Infected animals begin to lose weight, lose their appetite and develop an insatiable thirst. They tend to separate from their herds, walk in repetitive patterns, stumble or tremble, carry their head low, salivate, urinate frequently, and grind their teeth.

The disease spreads when animals are in close contact, but also when animals contact soil that contains prions (protein particles) from urine, feces, saliva, or an infected animal’s carcass.

CWD transmission to humans or livestock has not been documented. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends, as a precaution, that people or animals do not eat any part of an animal diagnosed with or showing signs of CWD.

Oklahoma CWD 2025 Test Results
Select CWD surveillance map
Deadly chronic wasting disease discovered in Oklahoma’s wild deer herd 
Wildlife officials working to stop spread, urge hunters to drop off meat samples for testing 
BY: ED GODFREY - NOVEMBER 22, 2023 5:30 AM
 Mule deer seem to be more susceptible to chronic wasting disease than white-tailed deer, according to biologists. Oklahoma has mule deer in the far western parts of the state. (Photo by Ed Godfrey/For Oklahoma Voice) The first appearance of chronic wasting disease in Oklahoma’s wild, free-ranging deer population is threatening the health of its herd.
“We’ve only had two confirmed cases in the state, one in Texas (County) and one in Woodward County,” said Dallas Barber, big game biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
“It’s a disease that is very slow to develop, but once it gets its hooks into an area it is something that is not possible to eradicate,” he said.
Oklahoma has an estimated 750,000 wild deer.
Even though it’s only been confirmed in two deer in the northwest Oklahoma, Rod Hall, state veterinarian with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, thinks it’s likely more deer in Oklahoma have chronic wasting disease.
“I suspect we have it in other parts of the state, too,” Hall said. “They just haven’t found it.”
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a slow-progressing, neurological disease that is almost always fatal in deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family. CWD is related to “mad cow disease” and attacks the brain. Animals can be infected and spread the disease long before they show symptoms.
It is often called zombie deer disease, although Hall said scientists don’t like to call it that because the description instills fear in people. 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that deer taken by hunters from an area where chronic wasting disease is present be tested before consuming the meat. There is no evidence the disease can be transmitted from deer and elk to humans or livestock.
Deer hunting is big business in Oklahoma with a total economic impact of $600 million, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The agency earned more than $7 million from the sale of deer licenses alone the last fiscal year, and that doesn’t include the sale of general hunting licenses which are also required. 
Last season, Oklahoma hunters killed a record 134,158 deer during all hunting seasons, which include archery, youth, muzzleloader, gun and special antlerless seasons.
“Chronic wasting disease is one of the greatest threats facing deer, elk and moose populations across the country, jeopardizing hunting opportunities, ecosystems and our nation’s outdoor economy,” said Mike Leahy, director for wildlife, hunting and fishing policy for the National Wildlife Federation.
State wildlife officials have been testing for the disease since the late ‘90s. It was previously discovered in Oklahoma in two private elk herds which had to be euthanized.
The disease spreads through bodily fluids when animals are in close contact, but also when animals contact soil that contains prions (protein particles) from urine, feces, saliva or an infected animal’s carcass.
“If you have a deer that is shedding infectious material on the landscape, it could remain active in that spot for years,” said Barber, the biologist. 
Animals infected with CWD eventually lose weight, lose their appetite and develop an insatiable thirst. They tend to separate from their herd and behave erratically. 
CWD has been documented in 30 states and Canada. Every state bordering Oklahoma has animals infected with the disease, and the first cases in Oklahoma’s free-ranging wild deer were found last summer when the Wildlife Department received reports of sick deer.
As a result of the two confirmed cases, the Wildlife Department established a surveillance area in northwest Oklahoma where they have increased monitoring for CWD and created sites where hunters can drop off deer samples for testing. There are also special rules for transporting deer carcasses from the area.
“We are just trying to slow the human-aided movement of those prions,” Barber said.
Some western states have seen significant decline in mule deer populations as a result of CWD, Barber said.
“Science is showing that mule deer are more susceptible to the disease,” he said.
Oklahoma is home to a few mule deer in the far western portion of the state, but the state’s deer herd is predominately whitetails.
Hall attended an international symposium on CWD in Minnesota earlier this year. 
“I came away from that (symposium) with the impression, especially in whitetail deer, the disease is probably not going to have a real drastic impact on the number of deer we have in Oklahoma,” Hall said.
If CWD does become entrenched in Oklahoma, Hall said he believes the numbers of deer dying from it will go up but “it is such a slow-spreading disease, I think it is not going to have a drastic effect on the population.
“Now if we are talking about mule deer or elk, it could potentially have a more drastic effect. I think we could see a small decrease in the (whitetail deer) population but my gut feeling is it is not going to just decimate the native whitetails in Oklahoma.”
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is responsible for monitoring CWD in captive deer and elk herds in the state. There are 110 farms in Oklahoma with captive herds, but only 13 are required to test for the disease because animals are transported across state lines, Hall said.
Any death of a captive deer or elk over one year old on farms that do business out of state has to have the animal tested, he said.
Barber said Arkansas has high prevalence rates of CWD in a couple of corners of the state. Kansas also has one hot spot, while the CWD cases in Texas are sporadic across the state, he said.
All Oklahoma can do is keep monitoring for CWD and try to keep it contained as best as possible, Barber said.
“We don’t know where it is at all together,” he said. “We just have two little dots on a map. We will know more as we start testing more from that area.”
“CWD transmission to humans or livestock has not been documented. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends, as a precaution, that people or animals do not eat any part of an animal diagnosed with or showing signs of CWD.”
***> Price of TSE Prion Poker goes up substantially, all you cattle ranchers and such, better pay close attention here...terry <***
Transmission of the chronic wasting disease agent from elk to cattle after oronasal exposure
Justin Greenlee, Jifeng Bian, Zoe Lambert, Alexis Frese, and Eric Cassmann Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA-ARS, Ames, IA, USA
Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility of cattle to chronic wasting disease agent from elk.
Materials and Methods: Initial studies were conducted in bovinized mice using inoculum derived from elk with various genotypes at codon 132 (MM, LM, LL). Based upon attack rates, inoculum (10% w/v brain homogenate) from an LM132 elk was selected for transmission studies in cattle. At approximately 2 weeks of age, one wild type steer (EE211) and one steer with the E211K polymorphism (EK211) were fed 1 mL of brain homogenate in a quart of milk replacer while another 1 mL was instilled intranasally. The cattle were examined daily for clinical signs for the duration of the experiment. One steer is still under observation at 71 months post-inoculation (mpi).
Results: Inoculum derived from MM132 elk resulted in similar attack rates and incubation periods in mice expressing wild type or K211 bovine PRNP, 35% at 531 days post inoculation (dpi) and 27% at 448 dpi, respectively. Inoculum from LM132 elk had a slightly higher attack rates in mice: 45% (693 dpi) in wild type cattle PRNP and 33% (468) in K211 mice. Inoculum from LL132 elk resulted in the highest attack rate in wild type bovinized mice (53% at 625 dpi), but no K211 mice were affected at >700 days. At approximately 70 mpi, the EK211 genotype steer developed clinical signs suggestive of prion disease, depression, low head carriage, hypersalivation, and ataxia, and was necropsied. Enzyme immunoassay (IDEXX) was positive in brainstem (OD=4.00, but non-detect in retropharyngeal lymph nodes and palatine tonsil. Immunoreactivity was largely limited to the brainstem, midbrain, and cervical spinal cord with a pattern that was primarily glia-associated.
Conclusions: Cattle with the E211K polymorphism are susceptible to the CWD agent after oronasal exposure of 0.2 g of infectious material.
Funded by: This research was funded in its entirety by congressionally appropriated funds to the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. The funders of the work did not influence study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
"Cattle with the E211K polymorphism are susceptible to the CWD agent after oronasal exposure of 0.2 g of infectious material."
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Strain characterization of chronic wasting disease in bovine-PrP transgenic mice
Nuria Jerez-Garrido1, Sara Canoyra1, Natalia Fernández-Borges1, Alba Marín Moreno1, Sylvie L. Benestad2, Olivier Andreoletti3, Gordon Mitchell4, Aru Balachandran4, Juan María Torres1 and Juan Carlos Espinosa1. 1 Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA-INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain. 2 Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ås, Norway. 3 UMR Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)/École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Toulouse, France. 4 Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Canada.
Aims: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an infectious prion disease that affects cervids. Various CWD prion strains have been identified in different cervid species from North America and Europe. The properties of the infectious prion strains are influenced by amino acid changes and polymorphisms in the PrP sequences of different cervid species. This study, aimed to assess the ability of a panel of CWD prion isolates from diverse cervid species from North America and Europe to infect bovine species, as well as to investigate the properties of the prion strains following the adaptation to the bovine-PrP context.
Materials and Methods: BoPrP-Tg110 mice overexpressing the bovine-PrP sequence were inoculated by intracranial route with a panel of CWD prion isolates from both North America (two white-tailed deer and two elk) and Europe (one reindeer, one moose and one red deer).
Results: Our results show distinct behaviours in the transmission of the CWD isolates to the BoPrP-Tg110 mouse model. Some of these isolates did not transmit even after the second passage. Those able to transmit displayed differences in terms of attack rate, survival times, biochemical properties of brain PrPres, and histopathology.
Conclusions: Altogether, these results exhibit the diversity of CWD strains present in the panel of CWD isolates and the ability of at least some CWD isolates to infect bovine species. Cattle being one of the most important farming species, this ability represents a potential threat to both animal and human health, and consequently deserves further study.
Funded by: MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by European Union NextGeneration EU/PRTR
Grant number: PCI2020-120680-2 ICRAD
"Altogether, these results exhibit the diversity of CWD strains present in the panel of CWD isolates and the ability of at least some CWD isolates to infect bovine species. Cattle being one of the most important farming species, this ability represents a potential threat to both animal and human health, and consequently deserves further study."
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cwd scrapie pigs oral routes
***> However, at 51 months of incubation or greater, 5 animals were positive by one or more diagnostic methods. Furthermore, positive bioassay results were obtained from all inoculated groups (oral and intracranial; market weight and end of study) suggesting that swine are potential hosts for the agent of scrapie. <***
>*** Although the current U.S. feed ban is based on keeping tissues from TSE infected cattle from contaminating animal feed, swine rations in the U.S. could contain animal derived components including materials from scrapie infected sheep and goats. These results indicating the susceptibility of pigs to sheep scrapie, coupled with the limitations of the current feed ban, indicates that a revision of the feed ban may be necessary to protect swine production and potentially human health. <***
***> Results: PrPSc was not detected by EIA and IHC in any RPLNs. All tonsils and MLNs were negative by IHC, though the MLN from one pig in the oral <6 month group was positive by EIA. PrPSc was detected by QuIC in at least one of the lymphoid tissues examined in 5/6 pigs in the intracranial <6 months group, 6/7 intracranial >6 months group, 5/6 pigs in the oral <6 months group, and 4/6 oral >6 months group. Overall, the MLN was positive in 14/19 (74%) of samples examined, the RPLN in 8/18(44%), and the tonsil in 10/25 (40%).
***> Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PrPSc accumulates in lymphoid tissues from pigs challenged intracranially or orally with the CWD agent, and can be detected as early as 4 months after challenge. CWD-infected pigs rarely develop clinical disease and if they do, they do so after a long incubation period. This raises the possibility that CWD-infected pigs could shed prions into their environment long before they develop clinical disease. Furthermore, lymphoid tissues from CWD-infected pigs could present a potential source of CWD infectivity in the animal and human food chains.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PrPSc accumulates in lymphoid tissues from pigs challenged intracranially or orally with the CWD agent, and can be detected as early as 4 months after challenge. CWD-infected pigs rarely develop clinical disease and if they do, they do so after a long incubation period. This raises the possibility that CWD-infected pigs could shed prions into their environment long before they develop clinical disease. Furthermore, lymphoid tissues from CWD-infected pigs could present a potential source of CWD infectivity in the animal and human food chains.
Volume 31, Number 1—January 2025
Dispatch
Detection of Prions in Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) from Areas with Reported Chronic Wasting Disease Cases, United States
Paulina Soto, Francisca Bravo-Risi, Rebeca Benavente, Tucker H. Stimming, Michael J. Bodenchuk, Patrick Whitley, Clint Turnage, Terry R. Spraker, Justin Greenlee, Glenn Telling, Jennifer Malmberg, Thomas Gidlewski, Tracy Nichols, Vienna R. Brown, and Rodrigo Morales Author affiliation: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA (P. Soto, F. Bravo-Risi, R. Benavente, T.H. Stimming, R. Morales); Centro Integrativo de Biologia y Quimica Aplicada, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago, Chile (P. Soto, F. Bravo-Risi, R. Morales); US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA (M.J. Bodenchuk, P. Whitley, C. Turnage, J. Malmberg, T. Gidlewski, T. Nichols, V.R. Brown); Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA (T.R. Spraker, G. Telling); US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA (J. Greenlee) Suggested citation for this article
Abstract
Using a prion amplification assay, we identified prions in tissues from wild pigs (Sus scrofa) living in areas of the United States with variable chronic wasting disease (CWD) epidemiology. Our findings indicate that scavenging swine could play a role in disseminating CWD and could therefore influence its epidemiology, geographic distribution, and interspecies spread.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease of particular concern because of its uncontrolled contagious spread among various cervid species in North America (https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/distribution-chronic-wasting-disease-north-america-0External Link), its recent discovery in Nordic countries (1), and its increasingly uncertain zoonotic potential (2). CWD is the only animal prion disease affecting captive as well as wild animals. Persistent shedding of prions by CWD-affected animals and resulting environmental contamination is considered a major route of transmission contributing to spread of the disease. Carcasses of CWD-affected animals represent relevant sources of prion infectivity to multiple animal species that can develop disease or act as vectors to spread infection to new locations.
Free-ranging deer are sympatric with multiple animal species, including some that act as predators, scavengers, or both. Experimental transmissions to study the potential for interspecies CWD transmissions have been attempted in raccoons, ferrets, cattle, sheep, and North American rodents (3–7). Potential interspecies CWD transmission has also been addressed using transgenic (Tg) mice expressing prion proteins (PrP) from relevant animal species (8). Although no reports of natural interspecies CWD transmissions have been documented, experimental studies strongly suggest the possibility for interspecies transmission in nature exists (3–7). Inoculation and serial passage studies reveal the potential of CWD prions to adapt to noncervid species, resulting in emergence of novel prion strains with unpredicted features (9–11).
Wild pigs (Sus scrofa), also called feral swine, are an invasive population comprising domestic swine, Eurasian wild boar, and hybrids of the 2 species (12). Wild pig populations have become established in the United States (Appendix Figure 1, panel A), enabled by their high rates of fecundity; omnivorous and opportunistic diet; and widespread, often human-mediated movement (13). Wild pigs scavenge carcasses on the landscape and have an intimate relationship with the soil because of their routine rooting and wallowing behaviors (14). CWD prions have been experimentally transmitted to domestic pigs by intracerebral and oral exposure routes (15), which is relevant because wild pigs coexist with cervids in CWD endemic areas and reportedly prey on fawns and scavenge deer carcasses. Considering the species overlap in many parts of the United States (Appendix Figure 1, panel B), we studied potential interactions between wild pigs and CWD prions.
Snip…
Conclusions
In summary, results from this study showed that wild pigs are exposed to cervid prions, although the pigs seem to display some resistance to infection via natural exposure. Future studies should address the susceptibility of this invasive animal species to the multiple prion strains circulating in the environment. Nonetheless, identification of CWD prions in wild pig tissues indicated the potential for pigs to move prions across the landscape, which may, in turn, influence the epidemiology and geographic spread of CWD.
CDC, About Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
KEY POINTS
Chronic wasting disease affects deer, elk and similar animals in the United States and a few other countries.
The disease hasn't been shown to infect people.
However, it might be a risk to people if they have contact with or eat meat from animals infected with CWD.
https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-wasting/about/index.html
DETECTION OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE PRIONS IN PROCESSED MEATS.
Abstract
The zoonotic potential of chronic wasting disease (CWD) remains unknown. Currently, there are no known natural cases of CWD transmission to humans but increasing evidence suggests that the host range of CWD is not confined only to cervid species. Alarmingly, recent experimental evidence suggests that certain CWD isolates can induce disease in non-human primates. While the CDC strongly recommends determining CWD status in animals prior to consumption, this practice is voluntary. Consequently, it is plausible that a proportion of the cervid meat entering the human food chain may be contaminated with CWD. Of additional concern is that traditional diagnostic techniques used to detect CWD have relatively low sensitivity and are only approved for use in tissues other than those typically ingested by humans. In this study, we analyzed different processed meats derived from a pre-clinical, CWD-positive free-ranging elk. Products tested included filets, sausages, boneless steaks, burgers, ham steaks, seasoned chili meats, and spiced meats. CWD-prion presence in these products were assessed by PMCA using deer and elk substrates. Our results show positive prion detection in all products. To confirm the resilience of CWD-prions to traditional cooking methods, we grilled and boiled the meat products and evaluated them for any remnant PMCA seeding activity. Results confirmed the presence of CWD-prions in these meat products suggesting that infectious particles may still be available to people even after cooking. Our results strongly suggest ongoing human exposure to CWD-prions and raise significant concerns of zoonotic transmission through ingestion of CWD contaminated meat products.
***> Products tested included filets, sausages, boneless steaks, burgers, ham steaks, seasoned chili meats, and spiced meats.
***> CWD-prion presence in these products were assessed by PMCA using deer and elk substrates.
***> Our results show positive prion detection in all products.
***> Results confirmed the presence of CWD-prions in these meat products suggesting that infectious particles may still be available to people even after cooking.
***> Our results strongly suggest ongoing human exposure to CWD-prions and raise significant concerns of zoonotic transmission through ingestion of CWD contaminated meat products.
Transmission of prion infectivity from CWD-infected macaque tissues to rodent models demonstrates the zoonotic potential of chronic wasting disease.
Samia Hannaoui1,2, Ginny Cheng1,2, Wiebke Wemheuer3, Walter Schulz-Schaeffer3, Sabine Gilch1,2, Hermann Schatzl1,2 1University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. 2Calgary Prion Research Unit, Calgary, Canada. 3Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
Snip…
***> Further passage to cervidized mice revealed transmission with a 100% attack rate.
***> Our findings demonstrate that macaques, considered the best model for the zoonotic potential of prions, were infected upon CWD challenge, including the oral one.
****> The disease manifested as atypical in macaques and initial transgenic mouse transmissions, but with infectivity present at all times, as unveiled in the bank vole model with an unusual tissue tropism.
***> Epidemiologic surveillance of prion disease among cervid hunters and people likely to have consumed venison contaminated with chronic wasting disease
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Transmission of Cervid Prions to Humanized Mice Demonstrates the Zoonotic Potential of CWD
Samia Hannaouia, Irina Zemlyankinaa, Sheng Chun Changa, Maria Immaculata Arifina, Vincent Béringueb, Debbie McKenziec, Hermann M. Schatzla, and Sabine Gilcha
Results: Here, we provide the strongest evidence supporting the zoonotic potential of CWD prions, and their possible phenotype in humans. Inoculation of mice expressing human PrPCwith deer CWD isolates (strains Wisc-1 and 116AG) resulted in atypical clinical manifestations in > 75% of the mice, with myoclonus as leading clinical sign. Most of tg650brain homogenates were positive for seeding activity in RT-QuIC. Clinical disease and presentation was transmissible to tg650 mice and bank voles. Intriguingly, protease-resistant PrP in the brain of tg650 mice resembled that found in a familial human prion disease and was transmissible upon passage. Abnormal PrP aggregates upon infection with Wisc-1 were detectable in thalamus, hypothalamus, and midbrain/pons regions.
Unprecedented in human prion disease, feces of CWD-inoculated tg650 mice harbored prion seeding activity and infectious prions, as shown by inoculation of bank voles and tg650 with fecal homogenates.
Conclusions: This is the first evidence that CWD can infect humans and cause disease with a distinctive clinical presentation, signature, and tropism, which might be transmissible between humans while current diagnostic assays might fail to detect it. These findings have major implications for public health and CWD-management.
The finding that infectious PrPSc was shed in fecal material of CWD-infected humanized mice and induced clinical disease, different tropism, and typical three banding pattern-PrPres in bank voles that is transmissible upon second passage is highly concerning for public health. The fact that this biochemical signature in bank voles resembles that of the Wisc-1 original deer isolate and is different from that of bvWisc-1, in the migration profile and the glyco-form-ratio, is valid evidence that these results are not a product of contamination in our study. If CWD in humans is found to be contagious and transmissible among humans, as it is in cervids [57], the spread of the disease within humans might become endemic.
Transmission of cervid prions to humanized mice demonstrates the zoonotic potential of CWD
Acta Neuropathol 144, 767–784 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-022-02482-9
Published
22 August 2022
Fortuitous generation of a zoonotic cervid prion strain
Aims: Whether CWD prions can infect humans remains unclear despite the very substantial scale and long history of human exposure of CWD in many states or provinces of USA and Canada. Multiple in vitro conversion experiments and in vivo animal studies indicate that the CWD-to-human transmission barrier is not unbreakable. A major long-term public health concern on CWD zoonosis is the emergence of highly zoonotic CWD strains. We aim to address the question of whether highly zoonotic CWD strains are possible.
Materials and Methods: We inoculated several sCJD brain samples into cervidized transgenic mice (Tg12), which were intended as negative controls for bioassays of brain tissues from sCJD cases who had potentially been exposed to CWD. Some of the Tg12 mice became infected and their brain tissues were further examined by Western blot as well as serial passages in humanized or cervidized mice.
Results: Passage of sCJDMM1 in transgenic mice expressing elk PrP (Tg12) resulted in a “cervidized” CJD strain that we termed CJDElkPrP. We observed 100% transmission of the original CJDElkPrP in transgenic mice expressing human PrP. We passaged CJDElkPrP two more times in the Tg12 mice. We found that such second and third passage CJDElkPrP prions retained 100% transmission rate in the humanized mice, despite that the natural elk CWD isolates and CJDElkPrP share the same elk PrP sequence. In contrast, we and others found zero or poor transmission of natural elk CWD isolates in humanized mice.
Conclusions: Our data indicate that highly zoonotic cervid prion strains are not only possible but also can retain zoonotic potential after serial passages in cervids, suggesting a very significant and serious long-term risk of CWD zoonosis given that the broad and continuing spread of CWD prions will provide fertile grounds for the emergence of zoonotic CWD strains over time.
The finding that infectious PrPSc was shed in fecal material of CWD-infected humanized mice and induced clinical disease, different tropism, and typical three banding pattern-PrPres in bank voles that is transmissible upon second passage is highly concerning for public health. The fact that this biochemical signature in bank voles resembles that of the Wisc-1 original deer isolate and is different from that of bvWisc-1, in the migration profile and the glyco-form-ratio, is valid evidence that these results are not a product of contamination in our study. If CWD in humans is found to be contagious and transmissible among humans, as it is in cervids [57], the spread of the disease within humans might become endemic.
Transmission of cervid prions to humanized mice demonstrates the zoonotic potential of CWD
Acta Neuropathol 144, 767–784 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-022-02482-9
Published
22 August 2022
Oklahoma CWD past history;
THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2024
Oklahoma HB3462 Chronic Wasting Disease Genetic Improvement Act and Legislating CWD Science
WEDNESDAY, JULY 05, 2023
OKLAHOMA CONFIRMS SECOND CWD POSITIVE WTD OKLAHOMA CONFIRMS SECOND CWD POSITIVE WTD
SECOND CWD-POSITIVE WILD DEER CONFIRMED IN OKLAHOMA
Jul 3, 2023 A second wild white-tailed deer has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Oklahoma.
The deer was located about 15 miles east of Woodward in Woodward County after a landowner reported the deer behaving abnormally.
Oklahoma's first case of a wild deer infected with CWD was confirmed the first week of June in Texas County, prompting the activation of the next stage in the state's CWD Response Strategy jointly produced by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
“We will be working through our response plan implementing surveillance efforts and steps to monitor and slow the potential spread of this disease. Our ultimate goal is to ensure healthy and well-managed deer with as little impact to either the resource or our constituents as possible,” said Jerry Shaw, Wildlife Programs Supervisor with ODWC.
CWD is an always-fatal neurological disease that affects the brains of deer, elk, moose, and other members of the cervid family, creating holes resembling those in sponges. CWD transmission from wild animals to people or to livestock has never been documented.
The Wildlife Department has conducted CWD monitoring on hunter-harvested deer and elk, and road-killed deer, since 1999.
Department staff will continue monitoring for evidence of CWD within Oklahoma’s borders and will release additional information, including ways deer and elk hunters can help with detection and mitigation, as hunting seasons approach.
Additional guidelines or management plans will be distributed and well-advertised if determined necessary to further protect Oklahoma’s deer and elk populations.
Additional human health information relating to CWD is available at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/chronic-wasting-disease#publications
For more information on the disease, hunting regulations, and proper disposal of infected animals, go to https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/resources/deer/cwd
Oklahoma Detects First Wild Deer Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion
ODWC ACTIVATES CWD RESPONSE STRATEGY AFTER DISEASED WILD DEER FOUND IN PANHANDLE
Jun 6, 2023
A white-tailed deer in the Oklahoma Panhandle has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD).
A Texas County landowner reported the deer to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation after witnessing it behaving abnormally. The deer was recovered near Optima and testing was conducted.
This marks the first case of CWD in a wild deer in Oklahoma.
ODWC has activated the next stage of the CWD Response Strategy jointly produced with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
“While this is unfortunate news, it is not unexpected since CWD has already been detected in every state that borders Oklahoma. We will be working through our response plan to ensure we can monitor potential spread and keep our state’s deer herd healthy,” said Jerry Shaw, Wildlife Programs Supervisor with ODWC.
CWD is an always-fatal neurological disease that affects the brains of deer, elk, moose, and other members of the cervid family, creating holes that resemble those in sponges. It’s important to note that CWD transmission from wild animals to people or to livestock has never been documented
The Wildlife Department has conducted CWD monitoring on hunter-harvested deer and elk, and road-killed deer, since 1999. This case marks the first time the disease has been detected in laboratory testing of tissue samples from more than 10,000 wild deer and elk from throughout Oklahoma.
The Wildlife Department will continue monitoring for evidence of this disease within Oklahoma’s borders and will release additional information, including ways deer and elk hunters can help with detection and mitigation, as hunting seasons approach.
Additional guidelines or management plans will be distributed and well-advertised if determined necessary to further protect Oklahoma’s deer and elk populations.
Additional human health information relating to CWD is available at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/chronic-wasting-disease#publications
For more information on the disease, hunting regulations, and proper disposal of infected animals, go to
Oklahoma detects first wild CWD
Oklahoma Wild Deer Test Positive for CWD
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2022
OKLAHOMA ODWC ACTIVATES CWD RESPONSE PLAN AFTER DISEASED DEER FOUND WITHIN MILES OF PANHANDLE OKLAHOMA ODWC ACTIVATES CWD RESPONSE PLAN AFTER DISEASED DEER FOUND WITHIN MILES OF PANHANDLE
ODWC ACTIVATES CWD RESPONSE PLAN AFTER DISEASED DEER FOUND WITHIN MILES OF PANHANDLE Sep 9, 2022
A white-tailed deer carcass recently recovered along a Texas road about 2.5 miles south of the Oklahoma border in the western Panhandle south of Felt, Okla., has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). The CWD positive deer was found in an area of Texas with a history of CWD detection dating back 3 years. Although not inside of our borders, due to the proximity of this finding to Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) has activated the next stage of the CWD Response Plan that was jointly produced with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
“With the ability of deer to easily travel many miles in a day, the CWD Response Plan dictates that we respond to this finding as if CWD has now been detected among free-roaming wild deer in Oklahoma,” said Jerry Shaw, Wildlife Programs Supervisor with ODWC.
CWD is an always-fatal neurological disease that affects the brains of deer, elk, moose, and other members of the cervid family, creating holes that resemble those in sponges. It’s important to note in this area of the state that CWD does not affect pronghorn antelope, and CWD transmission from wild animals to humans or livestock has never been documented either.
No CWD-positive wild deer have been found within Oklahoma’s borders. But CWD has been found in two captive elk herds in the state. CWD has been confirmed in wild cervids in every state surrounding Oklahoma. In total, 30 states now have detected CWD within their borders.
The Wildlife Department has conducted CWD monitoring on hunter-harvested deer and elk and road-killed deer since 1999. The disease has not been detected in laboratory testing of tissue samples from more than 10,000 wild deer and elk from throughout Oklahoma.
​The Wildlife Department will continue monitoring for evidence of this disease within Oklahoma’s borders and will release additional information, including ways deer and elk hunters can help with detection and mitigation as hunting seasons approach. Additional guidelines or restrictions will be distributed and well-advertised if determined necessary to further protect Oklahoma’s deer and elk populations.
Additional human health information relating to CWD is available at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/chronic-wasting-disease#publications
For more information on the disease, how it could affect hunting, and proper disposal of infected animals, go to https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/resources/deer/cwd
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2022
OKLAHOMA ODWC ACTIVATES CWD RESPONSE PLAN AFTER DISEASED DEER FOUND WITHIN MILES OF PANHANDLE OKLAHOMA ODWC ACTIVATES CWD RESPONSE PLAN AFTER DISEASED DEER FOUND WITHIN MILES OF PANHANDLE
Oklahoma CWD Past History
TUESDAY, JANUARY 07, 2020
Oklahoma Farmed Elk Lincoln County CWD Depopulation 3 Positive Elk with 1 Additional Dead Trace Out Confirmed Positive
i was wondering what the results (if any), from all the other cervid that this Elk came into contact with, from any additional testing, was there any, from the existing herd, trace in and outs and such, and herds there from???
was that breeding farm completely depopulated yet, and if so, what are the numbers on any additional positives, if any?
PERSONAL COMMUNICATION @ag.ok.gov Tue, Jan 7, 2020 4:11 pm
We completed the depopulation of the elk herd.
Out of 250 head there were 3 positive elk.
We know of one trace out that died and was tested positive.
Many other trace outs (over 100) have been tested and are negative.
END...TSS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019
Oklahoma Farmed Elk Lincoln County has tested positive for chronic wasting disease CWD TSE Prion
JOINT RELEASE FROM THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD & FORESTRY AND THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in One Farmed Oklahoma Elk
re-Commission Hears Update on CWD Status in Oklahoma
Fri, May 10, 2019 4:19 pm
Terry Singeltary flounder9@verizon.net
To comdist1 comdist1@odwc.ok.gov Cc comdist2 comdist2@odwc.ok.gov, comdist3 comdist3@odwc.ok.gov, comdist4 comdist4@odwc.ok.gov, comdist5 comdist5@odwc.ok.gov, comdist6 comdist6@odwc.ok.gov, comdist7 comdist7@odwc.ok.gov, comdist8 comdist8@odwc.ok.gov, micah.holmes micah.holmes@odwc.ok.gov
Commission Hears Update on CWD Status in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission on Monday authorized the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to take reasonable steps to respond to future developments related to chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Oklahoma.
The authorization by a vote of 5-1 also instructed Director J.D. Strong to bring any such actions to the attention of the Commission as soon as possible after any actions are taken.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects the brains of elk, deer and other cervid species.
No vaccine or treatment for the disease exists. Importantly, no health risk to humans or non-cervid livestock has been documented.
In late April, an elk from a farmed herd in Lincoln County tested positive for CWD.
Strong emphasized that any CWD response related to farmed cervids, cervid breeding facilities or the import and export of farmed cervids is under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
The Wildlife Department is responsible for managing the wild cervid populations and overseeing cervid hunting facilities.
Strong said the Wildlife Department’s goal is not to make any hasty, large-scale decisions right away in dealing with the threat of CWD, but to take a measured, scientific approach and collect all the information possible before deciding how to best respond to any possible confirmed cases in wild cervids.
He stressed the need for a team approach and expressed his continued willingness to work with the various stakeholder groups in finalizing a CWD action plan.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about hunting,” Strong said, whether CWD strikes farmed cervids or wild cervids. “One of the best ways is to enlist the help of hunters” in a strategy to minimize the spread of CWD.
snip...
''In late April, an elk from a farmed herd in Lincoln County tested positive for CWD.
Strong emphasized that any CWD response related to farmed cervids, cervid breeding facilities or the import and export of farmed cervids is under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. The Wildlife Department is responsible for managing the wild cervid populations and overseeing cervid hunting facilities.
Strong said the Wildlife Department’s goal is not to make any hasty, large-scale decisions right away in dealing with the threat of CWD, but to take a measured, scientific approach and collect all the information possible before deciding how to best respond to any possible confirmed cases in wild cervids.''
if you wait for cwd to find you, then you have lost the fight already imo.
Greetings ODWC et al,
i kindly wish to submit the following updated science on the chronic wasting disease cwd tse prion. you do know that the new strain of cwd in Texas is of a more virulent strain? see below......GOOD LUCK!
kindest regards, terry
snip...end...TSS
Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in One Oklahoma Elk
04.24.2019
Oklahoma, to date, CWD has been detected in 6 cases of CWD TSE Prion documented to date in Captive Cervid...tss
1st cwd positive captive 1998,
2nd cwd positive captive 2019,
3 cwd positives from that herd depopulation,
with 1 additional Trace Out CWD Trace Out Positive,
equal to date 6 captive CWD positives in Oklahoma to date,
and since my confirming these figures the last time via phone, i am told now i will have to fill out a FOIA request for any further reports of CWD TSE Prion in captive herds in Oklahoma.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 05, 2023
OKLAHOMA CONFIRMS SECOND CWD POSITIVE WTD
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 07, 2023
Oklahoma Detects First Wild Deer Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020
Oklahoma Proper Carcass Disposal Cervid Importation with 6 cases of CWD TSE Prion documented to date in Captive Cervid
TUESDAY, JANUARY 07, 2020
Oklahoma Farmed Elk Lincoln County CWD Depopulation 3 Positive Elk with 1 Additional Dead Trace Out Confirmed Positive
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Cervid Update By State December 2023 (Long Verzion)
(Short Version)
SUNDAY, MAY 05, 2024
Chronic Wasting Disease, Cervid Captive Herd CWD Infection rates, Zoonosis, and Environmental Risk Factors
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America February 2025
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2025
Texas CWD TSE Prion Cases Rises to 1099 Confirmed Cases To Date
TRUCKING CWD
“CWD spreads among wild populations at a relatively slow rate, limited by the natural home range and dispersed nature of wild animals.”
NOW HOLD YOUR HORSES, Chronic Wasting Disease CWD of Cervid can spread rather swiftly, traveling around 50 MPH, from the back of truck and trailer, and Here in Texas, we call it ‘Trucking CWD’…
Preventive Veterinary Medicine Volume 234, January 2025, 106385
Use of biosecurity practices to prevent chronic wasting disease in Minnesota cervid herds
Vehicles or trailers that entered the farm were used to transport other live cervids, cervid carcasses, or cervid body parts in past 3 years in 64.3 % (95 % CI 46.3–82.3) of larger elk/reindeer herds compared to 13.6 % (95 % CI 4.7–22.4) of smaller deer herds.
Snip…
Identifying the exact pathway of initial CWD transmission to cervid herds is often not possible, in part due to many potential pathways of transmission for the infection, including both direct and indirect contact with infected farmed or wild cervids (Kincheloe et al., 2021). That study identified that transmissions from infected farmed cervids may occur from direct contact with the movement of cervids from one herd to another and from indirect contact with the sharing of equipment, vehicles, clothing, reproductive equipment, and potentially through semen or embryos.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016758772400271X
***> Department records indicate that within the last five years (since January 1, 2020), 30 deer breeding facilities where CWD has been confirmed transferred a total of 8,799 deer to 249 additional deer breeding facilities and 487 release sites located in a total of 144 counties in Texas. <***
https://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/0411/0411adop.pdf
Texas Kimble County Farm Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Approximate Herd Prevalence 12%
SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE 407th COMMISSION MEETING Texas Animal Health Commission
September 22, 2020
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD):
A new CWD positive breeding herd was disclosed in February 2020 in Kimble County. This herd depopulation was completed in July 2020. Including the two index positive deer, an additional eight more positive deer were disclosed (approximate herd prevalence 12%). Since July 2015 and prior to this discovery, five positive captive breeder herds have been disclosed and four of those are in Medina County. One herd in Lavaca and three herds in Medina County were depopulated leaving one large herd in Medina County that is managed on a herd plan. A new zone was established in Val Verde County in December 2019 as a result of a positive free-ranging White-tailed Deer (WTD). A second positive WTD was also disclosed in February 2020 in the same area.
SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE 407th COMMISSION MEETING – 9/22/2020
Scrapie: The flock identified in April 2016 remains under quarantine in Hartley County.
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/agency/meetings/minutes/SummaryMinutes_CommMtg_2020-09-22
http://web.archive.org/web/20201017124040/https://www.tahc.texas.gov/agency/meetings/minutes/SummaryMinutes_CommMtg_2020-09-22.pdf
Chronic Wasting Disease in Texas A Real Disease with Proven Impacts 
Produced by a coalition of concerned hunters, landowners, & conservationists (last update 1/2025)
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b93f528938ac48e9b56dcc79953cbec0
Aug 18, 2021
Oh, Deer
Heading Off a Wildlife Epidemic
CWD poses a significant threat to the future of hunting in Texas. Deer population declines of 45 and 50 percent have been documented in Colorado and Wyoming. A broad infection of Texas deer populations resulting in similar population impacts would inflict severe economic damage to rural communities and could negatively impact land markets. Specifically, those landowners seeking to establish a thriving herd of deer could avoid buying in areas with confirmed CWD infections. As they do with anthrax-susceptible properties, land brokers may find it advisable to inquire about the status of CWD infections on properties that they present for sale. Prospective buyers should also investigate the status of the wildlife on prospective properties. In addition, existing landowners should monitor developments as TPWD crafts management strategies to identify and contain this deadly disease.
Dr. Gilliland (c-gilliland@tamu.edu) is a research economist with the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.
https://www.recenter.tamu.edu/articles/tierra-grande/oh-d
Texas Game Wardens Bust Illegal Deer Operations Across the State Feb. 27, 2025
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030
AUSTIN – A recent investigation by Texas Game Wardens resulted in approximately 1,200 pending charges and 22 suspects from across the state involved in the deer breeding industry and black-market wildlife trade.
The suspects and charges are associated with three deer breeding facilities, ten release sites, one deer management pen and three illegal facilities not registered in the Texas Wildlife Information Management Services (TWIMS) database, meaning they were operating or receiving deer in violation of registration requirements and disease monitoring protocols.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20250227b
Texas Game Wardens Bust Illegal Deer Operations Across the State Feb. 27, 2025
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/02/texas-game-wardens-bust-illegal-deer.html
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025 
TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION 423rd Commission Meeting CWD Update February 25, 2025
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/02/texas-animal-health-commission-423rd.html
SUNDAY, MAY 04, 2025
Texas Senate Bill 2649 creation of a statewide Chronic Wasting Disease plan
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/05/texas-senate-bill-2649-creation-of.html
SUNDAY, MAY 04, 2025
Texas Senate Bill 2651 establishment of a pilot program to breed deer resistant to CWD TSE Prion, what could go wrong?
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/05/texas-senate-bill-2651-establishment-of_4.html
Texas S.B. 2843 Directs TPWD to conduct a comprehensive study of current measures to control chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer
Trying to legislate CWD is what got Texas in this CWD mess to begin with, how did that work out$$$ Legislators and Politicians need to stay away and let TPWD and TAHC et try and contain this mess that Legislators and Politicians got us in, called CWD TSE Prion…terry
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/04/texas-sb-2843-directs-tpwd-to-conduct.html
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.

posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at 3:00 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Wisconsin Rock County Deer Farm Confirmed with CWD

 Wisconsin Rock County Deer Farm Confirmed with CWD

Rock County Deer Farm Confirmed with CWD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2025
Contact: Molly Mueller, Public Information Officer, (608) 910-1929
molly.mueller@wisconsin.gov
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) confirms that a Rock County deer farm has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). The result was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.
The positive result came from a 5 1/2-year-old doe. The premises is quarantined, where it will remain while DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) veterinarians and staff conduct the epidemiological investigation.
CWD is a fatal, neurological disease of deer, elk, and moose caused by an infectious protein called a prion that affects the animal's brain. DATCP regulates deer farms for registration, recordkeeping, disease testing, movement, and permit requirements.
More information
About DATCP’s farm-raised deer program:
###
Rock County Deer Farm Confirmed with CWD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2023
Contact: Neal Patten, Public Information Officer, (608) 440-0294
neal.patten@wisconsin.gov
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) confirms that a Rock County deer farm has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). The result was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.
The positive result came from a 4-year-old white-tailed buck. The farm has been placed under quarantine, where it will remain while DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) veterinarians and staff conduct the epidemiological investigation. CWD is a fatal, neurological disease of deer, elk, and moose caused by an infectious protein called a prion that affects the animal's brain. DATCP regulates deer farms for registration, recordkeeping, disease testing, movement, and permit requirements. More information • • About CWD:
https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/ChronicWastingDisease.aspx
About DATCP’s farm-raised deer program:
https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/FarmRaisedDeer.aspx
###
https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WIDATCP/2023/09/21/file_attachments/2622853/CWDRelease_092123.pdf
“CWD spreads among wild populations at a relatively slow rate, limited by the natural home range and dispersed nature of wild animals.”
NOW HOLD YOUR HORSES, Chronic Wasting Disease CWD of Cervid can spread rather swiftly, traveling around 50 MPH, from the back of truck and trailer, and Here in Texas, we call it ‘Trucking CWD’…
Preventive Veterinary Medicine Volume 234, January 2025, 106385
Use of biosecurity practices to prevent chronic wasting disease in Minnesota cervid herds
Vehicles or trailers that entered the farm were used to transport other live cervids, cervid carcasses, or cervid body parts in past 3 years in 64.3 % (95 % CI 46.3–82.3) of larger elk/reindeer herds compared to 13.6 % (95 % CI 4.7–22.4) of smaller deer herds.
Snip…
Identifying the exact pathway of initial CWD transmission to cervid herds is often not possible, in part due to many potential pathways of transmission for the infection, including both direct and indirect contact with infected farmed or wild cervids (Kincheloe et al., 2021). That study identified that transmissions from infected farmed cervids may occur from direct contact with the movement of cervids from one herd to another and from indirect contact with the sharing of equipment, vehicles, clothing, reproductive equipment, and potentially through semen or embryos.
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2025
Wisconsin DNR 2024 CWD 1,786 samples testing positive
terry 

posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at 12:42 PM 0 Comments

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Iowa CWD Update May 2025 confirms 523 case to date

Iowa CWD Update May 2025 confirms 523 case to date

Chronic Wasting Disease in Wild Deer in Iowa Surveillance and Results 2025-2026 Season

2025-2026 Wild Deer Samples Collected 14

2025-2026 Confirmed CWD-Positive Wild Deer 0

2025-2026 Suspect CWD-Positive Wild Deer 0


Iowa CWD Testing and Surveillance for wild and captive Cervid, concerning imo…terry

Total Confirmed CWD-Positive Wild Deer in Iowa 523

The DNR has tested 111,391 wild deer for CWD since 2002.

The first positive detection was in 2013.

Number of Counties with CWD-Positive Wild Deer in Iowa 25



Iowa Captive Cervid

Iowa 12/11/2024 9 YR Female IA Story WTD Breeder No No ukn Quarantine 


How many captive Cervid farms in Iowa?

AI overview

There is no specific number of captive deer farms in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) does not track the number of captive deer farms, but they do regulate them under Iowa Code 170.4. Landowners can keep whitetail deer as farm deer, but the land must be enclosed by a fence. The Iowa DNR reports on deer in Iowa generally focus on wild deer populations and hunting statistics, not on the number of captive deer farms…end

“Deer were re-established in lowa through the escape of animals from captive herds, trapping and transplanting programs of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the immigration of animals from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Missouri. In 1894, 35 whitetails escaped from the captive herd of William Cuppy of Avoca, which provided the nucleus for future deer herds in western Iowa. In the early 1920s, about 60 deer escaped from the Singmaster farm in Washington County and became established along the Skunk River. Another herd was established in Boone County at the Ledges State Park in 1928 when two deer, purchased from Minnesota, were released. Deer were captured from this herd and transplanted to other parts of the state during the 1940s.”

In 1856, the first law was passed to help protect deer by providing a closed season from February I to July 15. In 1872, the closed deer season was extended to January I to September 15. In 1898, the 27th General Assembly provided complete protection for deer by closing the season year round. By this time, deer were nearly extinct in most areas of the state.

Deer were re-established in lowa through the escape of animals from captive herds, trapping and transplanting programs of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the immigration of animals from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Missouri. In 1894, 35 whitetails escaped from the captive herd of William Cuppy of Avoca, which provided the nucleus for future deer herds in western Iowa. In the early 1920s, about 60 deer escaped from the Singmaster farm in Washington County and became established along the Skunk River. Another herd was established in Boone County at the Ledges State Park in 1928 when two deer, purchased from Minnesota, were released. Deer were captured from this herd and transplanted to other parts of the state during the 1940s.

In 1936, DR officials estimated the deer herd at around 500 to 700 animals, but this was considered conservative because deer were widely scattered. In 1947, the first statewide population estimate was made with deer herds reported in 58 counties containing an estimated 1,650 animals. Deer herds were reported in 89 counties in 1950, and the population was expanded to 13,000 because of protection from hunting and favorable habitat conditions.

The re-establishment of whitetails in Iowa was complete, but problems with deer damage to agricultural crops were developing. In areas where deer were heavily concentrated, landowners were experiencing damage to corn, soybeans and alfalfa crops and expressing their concern to the DNR. In 1953, the lowa Legislature provided the laws necessary to open hunting season to harvest surplus animals and scatter the large deer concentrations. The 1952 hunting season was restricted to 45 counties for five days and about 4,000 deer were harvested. Since 1953, hunting seasons have been held annually with various restrictions on number or type of licenses issued. Today, more than 200,000 shotgun, muzzleloader, and bow hunters harvest between 90,000-120,000 deer annually…see;


Please remember;

TRUCKING CWD

“CWD spreads among wild populations at a relatively slow rate, limited by the natural home range and dispersed nature of wild animals.”

NOW HOLD YOUR HORSES, Chronic Wasting Disease CWD of Cervid can spread rather swiftly, traveling around 50 MPH, from the back of truck and trailer, and Here in Texas, we call it ‘Trucking CWD’…

Preventive Veterinary Medicine Volume 234, January 2025, 106385

Use of biosecurity practices to prevent chronic wasting disease in Minnesota cervid herds

Vehicles or trailers that entered the farm were used to transport other live cervids, cervid carcasses, or cervid body parts in past 3 years in 64.3 % (95 % CI 46.3–82.3) of larger elk/reindeer herds compared to 13.6 % (95 % CI 4.7–22.4) of smaller deer herds.

Snip…

Identifying the exact pathway of initial CWD transmission to cervid herds is often not possible, in part due to many potential pathways of transmission for the infection, including both direct and indirect contact with infected farmed or wild cervids (Kincheloe et al., 2021). That study identified that transmissions from infected farmed cervids may occur from direct contact with the movement of cervids from one herd to another and from indirect contact with the sharing of equipment, vehicles, clothing, reproductive equipment, and potentially through semen or embryos.


***> Department records indicate that within the last five years (since January 1, 2020), 30 deer breeding facilities where CWD has been confirmed transferred a total of 8,799 deer to 249 additional deer breeding facilities and 487 release sites located in a total of 144 counties in Texas. <***


Texas Kimble County Farm Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Approximate Herd Prevalence 12%

SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE 407th COMMISSION MEETING Texas Animal Health Commission

September 22, 2020

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD):

A new CWD positive breeding herd was disclosed in February 2020 in Kimble County. This herd depopulation was completed in July 2020. Including the two index positive deer, an additional eight more positive deer were disclosed (approximate herd prevalence 12%). Since July 2015 and prior to this discovery, five positive captive breeder herds have been disclosed and four of those are in Medina County. One herd in Lavaca and three herds in Medina County were depopulated leaving one large herd in Medina County that is managed on a herd plan. A new zone was established in Val Verde County in December 2019 as a result of a positive free-ranging White-tailed Deer (WTD). A second positive WTD was also disclosed in February 2020 in the same area.

SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE 407th COMMISSION MEETING – 9/22/2020

Scrapie: The flock identified in April 2016 remains under quarantine in Hartley County.


See archived url link;


See;


Course on chronic wasting disease set for June in Henry County

SALEM, Iowa - Chronic Wasting Disease Ambassadors is a collaborative education program between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach that seeks to help Iowans address the challenge of chronic wasting disease. 

Registration is open for course in June at the Crew Public Library, 117 E Cherry, in Salem, in Henry County. Classes are scheduled for June 3, 10 and 17, from 6-8 p.m.and dinner is included. There is a link to the online registration at https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_38AlacINq4iDyPY. Class size is between 12-25 participants.

The goal of the program is to develop a small, connected, and well-educated network of local leaders to effectively communicate about the management and mitigation of chronic wasting disease.

Graduates of the three-week training program become “ambassadors” for the science-based management of chronic wasting disease. Ambassadors are knowledgeable in the management, prevention, and testing for the disease and equipped with communication skills and resources to help educate others within their community.

Participants can include hunters and non-hunters, community members, and anyone interested in white-tailed deer conservation and management.

Jordan Koos, of Decorah, is a deer hunter who took the training offered in Waukon in November 2021.

“It was a well-developed program, and having only a handful number of participants, helped to carry it,” he said. “I learned a lot; didn’t realize the number of counties it was in or the number of positives. I would recommend it.”

The course is taught through in-person instructions, demonstration, and networking, and in short online lessons between class sessions that allow ambassadors to learn at their own pace. It covers everything from the basics of chronic wasting disease ecology to the science of science communication. The program comprises about eight hours of learning and networking with ISU and DNR educators and other concerned community members.


Iowa Chronic wasting disease found in Marshall County deer

A tissue sample collected in mid-June from a road killed adult buck deer in Marshall County has tested positive for chronic wasting disease. With the addition of Marshall County, 260 deer have tested positive in 16 Iowa counties since 2013.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled two meetings to update the public on chronic wasting disease surveillance and management efforts in Jasper, Marshall and Grundy counties.

Meetings are scheduled for:

Baxter, Aug. 29, 7 p.m., Baxter Public Library, 202 E State Street Wellsburg, Oct. 10, 7 p.m., Wellsburg Memorial Building, 501 N Adams Street “Hunters and landowners play vital roles in the successful management of this disease in Iowa,” said Tyler Harms, biometrician for the Iowa DNR. “These meetings are an opportunity for local hunters, landowners, and citizens to learn more about chronic wasting disease, what the DNR is doing to monitor and manage the disease in Iowa, and, most importantly, to ask questions.”

At a minimum, Harms said the tissue collection goal will be increased in Marshall County from the current 15-20 deer samples to 100 or more in the coming year.

“Our hunters are an important partner in managing and monitoring for this disease,” said Steve Woodruff, wildlife biologist with the Iowa DNR’s Iowa River Wildlife Unit. “Hunters provide the tissue samples we need to determine to what extent the disease is on the landscape in Marshall County and elsewhere in Iowa.”

Local DNR staff will be reaching out to hunters to arrange for sample collection as the seasons get underway, Woodruff said.

Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease belonging to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases. It attacks the brain of infected deer causing the animal to lose weight, display abnormal behavior, lose body functions and die. It is always fatal to the infected animal.

To learn more about chronic wasting disease, including the DNR surveillance and management efforts, visit https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Deer-Hunting/Deer-Health/Chronic-Wasting-Disease

Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tyler Harms, Biometrician, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, (515) 777-5378, or Steve Woodruff, Wildlife Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 319-330-7013.


Iowa Annual surveillance confirms 96 deer and three new counties for chronic wasting disease

Press/Media inquiries: PIO@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR News Releases

Annual surveillance confirms 96 deer and three new counties for chronic wasting disease

5/16/2023 1:49:00 PM

Chronic wasting disease was confirmed in 96 deer that were tested during the 2022 monitoring season, including deer from three new counties – Jasper, Grundy, and Lucas. With the addition of Jasper County, chronic wasting disease has again come into central Iowa.

The Iowa DNR will be hosting public meetings in Newton and in Black Hawk County in the coming months to discuss chronic wasting disease, how hunters can help with the surveillance effort and what they can do to help prevent the spread of the disease.

“We thought of Jasper County as seemingly far away from the disease. That changed last year with our first detection in Greene County,” said Dr. Rachel Ruden, state wildlife veterinarian with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “Based on data coming out of other states, we’ve learned that deer can travel much greater distances than previously thought - 75 to 100 miles – so there really isn’t any place in Iowa where this disease can’t turn up.”

She said additional tissue samples will be collected from the new counties for the upcoming year to get a better picture for what is going on in these areas.

While the disease showed up in three new counties, it hasn’t been found in Woodbury County for two years and in Decatur County since 2019.

“The increased sampling after initial detections in Woodbury and Decatur counties did not yield additional positives, so the quotas in these areas will likely be downgraded to one tier above their previous baseline sampling goals,” Ruden said. “Now that doesn’t mean we won’t find it in the future.”

The Iowa DNR identifies the location of each of the positives and the year it was confirmed on its chronic wasting disease online dashboard at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Deer-Hunting/Deer-Health/Chronic-Wasting-Disease/Surveillance-Results.

The Iowa DNR samples around 5,000 deer each year. More than 100,000 tissue samples have been collected and tested since 2002. The first deer tested positive in 2013, in Allamakee County. A total of 259 deer have tested positive to date.

The Iowa DNR partners with hunters, conservation boards, the Iowa Department of Transportation, taxidermists, lockers, city departments and others to collect samples for testing.

The DNR also implemented targeted incentive zone hunts in three counties - Allamakee, Clayton and Wayne.

“Part of our disease management strategy is to focus additional antlerless harvest in localized areas where we have found a high density of positive deer and this year, 29 of the 96 positives- nearly one third - came from these hunts,” Ruden said.

Part of that harvest success in the endemic areas may be due to outreach staff working in the area to increase the visibility of the disease. This is the second year the outreach specialists, funded by a grant from the USDA, have been working in these areas.


2022-2023 Confirmed CWD-Positive Wild Deer 65

2022-2023 Suspect CWD-Positive Wild Deer 19




Iowa Annual CWD TSE Prion surveillance effort finds 36 Iowa deer with chronic wasting disease

Annual surveillance effort finds 36 Iowa deer with chronic wasting disease

Samples from nearly 5,000 deer have been tested as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) effort to monitor for chronic wasting disease, resulting in 36 confirmed positives from the 2021-2022 hunting season.

The samples were collected over the past 10 months from willing hunters and taxidermists, as well as from deer killed along Iowa’s roads. Hunters have been a willing and important partner. They voluntarily provide the samples for testing, and execute the slow the spread plan should one of those deer turn out to be positive.

“Hunters are key to our monitoring effort and we are grateful for their assistance. We hit our quotas in almost every area of the state, which is good,” said Tyler Harms, wildlife biologist coordinating the disease surveillance for the Iowa DNR.

The DNR uses a weighted surveillance strategy focusing on high priority samples – older bucks – to increase the likelihood of finding the disease if it is present in the area. In areas where CWD is detected, the DNR increases the number of samples collected in order to monitor the spread of the disease. As additional positives are detected, the DNR will engage hunters to help to manage the herd toward the lower end of the population goal.

Hunters can still participate in select deer management zones hunts through Jan. 23, while licenses are available.

Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease belonging to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases. It attacks the brain of infected deer and elk causing the animals to lose weight, display abnormal behavior, lose body functions and die. It is always fatal to the infected animal.

Most of the 36 positives came from existing deer management zones except for three – a road-killed deer five miles south of Jefferson in Greene County, a deer taken in northwest Fremont County, and one from just outside the zone in Jackson County. The DNR will be scheduling meetings in these counties to discuss chronic wasting disease and how hunters can help to slow the spread. With the addition of Greene and Fremont, Iowa now has 12 counties where chronic wasting disease has been confirmed.

“We will be updating our surveillance plan to include these new positives and will consider increasing the overall number of samples collected in the state. Early detection is key,” Harms said. “Increasing harvest to catch any other positives will help us to manage for it more effectively. In these areas, we want to manage the herd on the lower end of our population goal to help slow disease transmission while still maintaining a quality recreational opportunity for our hunters.”

The Iowa DNR contacted all hunters with a positive deer and offered the opportunity to come collect the deer meat, hide and other animal parts or were provided other options for disposal.

This is the 20th year the Iowa DNR has tested deer across the state. The first deer tested positive in 2013. To date, 148 deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease in Iowa. More information is available online at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Deer-Hunting/Deer-Health/Chronic-Wasting-Disease.

County: Number of Positive Deer (Year Detected)

Allamakee: 72 (2013)

Appanoose: 3 (2020)

Clayton: 29 (2016)

Decatur: 1 (2019)

Dubuque: 3 (2018)

Fayette: 2 (2019)

Fremont: 1 (2021)

Greene: 1 (2021)

Jackson: 2 (2020)

Wayne: 22 (2017)

Winneshiek: 10 (2019)

Woodbury: 2 (2019)

Media Contact: Tyler Harms, Biometrician, Wildlife Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-777-5378.


Voluntary Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Annual Update, FY2020

Last Modified: Feb 9, 2021

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services

Annual Update from the Cervid Health Team

Voluntary Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program (HCP)

The APHIS National CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP) was implemented in 2014. It is a voluntary Federal-State-industry cooperative program administered by APHIS and implemented by participating States. The program provides uniform national herd certification standards that minimize the risk of spreading CWD in farmed cervid populations. Participating States and herd owners must comply with requirements for animal identification, fencing, recordkeeping, inspections/inventories, as well as animal mortality testing and response to any CWD-exposed, suspect, and positive herds. APHIS monitors the Approved State HCPs to ensure consistency with Federal standards through annual reporting by the States.

With each year of successful surveillance, herds participating in the HCP will advance in status until reaching five years with no evidence of CWD, at which time herds are certified as being low risk for CWD. Only farmed cervids from enrolled herds certified as low risk for CWD may move interstate. FY 2020 marks the eighth year that Approved States have submitted their CWD HCP annual reports to APHIS.

The current Cervid Health Program staff officers are as follows: Dr. Mark Lyons, Dr. Jennifer Siembieda, and Dr. Tracy Nichols

Voluntary Herd Certification Participation Summary

Currently, 28 States participate in the voluntary CWD Herd Certification Program encompassing 2,145 enrolled herds, of which, 1,723 had the certified status in the program.

1,616 enrolled deer herds, of which, 1,297 were certified

371 enrolled elk herds, of which, 328 were certified

147 enrolled mixed species herds, of which, 98 were certified

CWD in Farmed Cervids Summary of CW Detections

There were 22 newly identified CWD positive herds in FY20

13 of these herds were not participants in the Federal HCP

2 herds were considered enrolled in the HCP

7 herds were certified in the HCP

Half of the herds were located within 20 miles of identified CWD in the wild, half were not CWD Herds by State

Pennsylvania: Eight new CWD positive herds

Breeding herd of 33 WTD, HCP certified, depopulated with Federal indemnity

Breeding herd of 6 WTD, not in HCP, depopulated with Federal indemnity

Breeding herd of 15 WTD, not in HCP, depopulated by owner\

Hunt preserve of 58 WTD, not in HCP, populated and under quarantine

Breeding herd of 75 WTD, not in HCP, populated and under quarantine

Breeding herd of WTD, not in HCP, populated and under quarantine

Breeding herd of 90 WTD, not in HCP, populated and under quarantine

Breeding herd of 4 WTD, not in HCP, populated and under quarantine

Iowa: Two new CWD positive herds

Breeding herd of 23 WTD, HCP certified, depopulated with Federal indemnity

Breeding herd of 13 WTD, HCP certified, depopulated with Federal indemnity

Minnesota: Two new CWD positive herds

Breeding herd of 3 WTD, enrolled in HCP, not certified, depopulated by owner

Breeding herd of 6 WTD, enrolled in HCP, not certified, depopulated with Federal indemnity

Colorado: Two new CWD positive herds

Breeding herd/hunt preserve of 9 elk, HCP certified, depopulated by owner

Breeding herd of 8 elk, HCP certified, populated and under quarantine

Utah: Two new CWD positive herds

Breeding herd of 465 elk, not in HCP, partial depopulation with Federal indemnity- removed purchased animals, populated-quarantine

Breeding herd of 103 elk, not in HCP, partial depopulation with Federal indemnity- removed purchased animals, populated-quarantine

Michigan: One new CWD positive herd

Hunt preserve of >600 WTD, not in HCP, populated and under quarantine

Montana: One new CWD positive herd

Breeding herd of 3 elk, not in HCP, populated and under quarantine

Texas: one new CWD positive herd

Breeding herd of 59 WTD, not in HCP, depopulated with Federal indemnity

Kansas: One new CWD positive herd

Breeding herd of 20 elk, HCP certified, depopulated with Federal indemnity

Ohio: Eight new CWD positive herd

Breeding herd of 138 WTD, HCP certified, depopulated with Federal indemnity

Research

Whole genome study investigating the association of genetics with CWD susceptibility has been published.

Blinded validation of the genetic predicative model is almost complete

A standardized protocol has been developed, in partnership with ARS, USGS, University of WI, and NIH for tissue sample testing using RT-QuIC

A study is starting shortly to determine the sensitivity and specify of RT-QuIC utilizing the standardized protocol

snip...

Voluntary Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program Annual Update, FY2020


Iowa Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion 111 wild Deer Positive To Date

Iowa Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion in Farmed Cervid To Date ???

Trace outs, Trace ins, there from ???

Iowa 21 deer test positive for chronic wasting disease

21 deer test positive for chronic wasting disease

2/24/2021 9:59:00 AM

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ 2020 surveillance of Iowa’s wild deer herd for the presence of chronic wasting disease has yielded 21 new positive deer, and has added two new counties to the list where positive deer have been found.

The new positive deer were all from either an existing chronic wasting disease zone or adjacent to an existing zone. Two new counties were added to list where deer have tested positive. Jackson County had a positive deer that was taken just south of the existing Dubuque disease management zone, and Appanoose County had a positive deer taken just northeast of the existing Corydon disease management zone.

“Although we expect some spread just outside of our existing zones, it’s not what we like to see,” said Tyler Harms, deer program leader for the Iowa DNR. “We will reassess the boundaries of our existing zones to encompass these new positives.”

The Iowa DNR has a map online at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Deer-Hunting/Deer-Disease-Information showing where the positive deer have been taken. To date, 111 wild Iowa deer have tested positive for the disease since 2013 when it was first discovered in the state.

“We rely heavily on our hunters to help us respond to this disease by increasing antlerless harvest in our disease management zones,” Harms said. “We know increased harvest is the best way to slow the spread and it helps increase sampling in these zones so we can monitor disease prevalence and spread. We continue to encourage hunters to harvest additional antlerless deer in these disease management zones.”

The 2020 sampling year ends March 31 and while most of the deer samples are collected during the hunting seasons, the DNR does collect samples from road killed deer and suspected sick deer near the deer disease management zones annually beginning April 1.



CWD-Positive Wild Deer in Iowa 2013-Present 111


Iowa Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Update 91 Positive as of December 3, 2020

DNR News Releases

Virtual meeting on fatal deer disease scheduled for Dec. 3

12/1/2020 1:24:00 PM View Count 972 Return

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting a virtual meeting on Dec. 3, 2020 at 12 p.m., to discuss the status of chronic wasting disease in Iowa. The meeting will be broadcast via Facebook Live at facebook.com/IowaDNR to provide Iowans the opportunity to ask questions. To attend via Zoom, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87404715461?pwd=TjZhanI2NjlGQzM2em42T0xiRkQ0QT09 and enter the passcode: CWD2020!

The meeting will be recorded and available for viewing after the meeting on the Iowa DNR YouTube channel after the event is over and the video is outfitted with closed captioning.

Typically, the Iowa DNR would host in-person public meetings to provide citizens the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns. However, a virtual meeting can get information out to a broader audience while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.

Tyler Harms, deer program leader for the Iowa DNR, encourages hunters to either attend this meeting or watch the recorded presentation, especially if they plan to hit the field for the upcoming shotgun seasons.

“We feel it is important for hunters to be armed with information on this disease as we enter our most popular deer hunting seasons of the year,” he said.

Harms said that testing harvested deer is one of the best and easiest ways hunters can help the DNR monitor the spread of the disease.

“Our surveillance program relies heavily on voluntary samples from hunters, and we encourage anyone interested in helping with this effort to contact your local DNR wildlife unit if you are interested in getting your deer tested, especially those hunting in counties where chronic wasting disease has been found,” Harms said.

Since 2013, the fatal disease has been found in wild deer in eight Iowa counties, including Allamakee, Clayton, Winneshiek, Fayette, and Dubuque in the northeast, Wayne and Decatur in the south, and Woodbury in the west. The Iowa DNR has tested nearly 85,000 tissue samples from wild deer for chronic wasting disease since monitoring began in 2002. So far, there have been 91 positive tests.

Each year the DNR collects deer tissue samples from every county in Iowa, with efforts focused on portions of northeast and eastern Iowa near Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, south-central Iowa near Missouri, and along the Missouri River near Nebraska where the disease has been detected. Additional testing has been conducted in Pottawattamie, Cerro Gordo, Van Buren, and Davis counties, following positive tests from captive facilities. All counties have at least 15 samples collected annually. The disease has been found in every state around Iowa.

“Deer hunting is an important tradition for many Iowans, and we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to monitor and slow the spread of this disease to maintain a healthy deer herd for future generations,” Harms said.

The Iowa DNR has more information about chronic wasting disease and other infectious diseases online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/cwd .



Nov. 22, 2019

Iowa Positive tests were confirmed on farms in Van Buren County DES MOINES, Iowa (Nov. 22, 2019

Two Cases of Chronic Wasting Disease Found at Deer Farms

Positive tests were confirmed on farms in Van Buren County DES MOINES, Iowa (Nov. 22, 2019) — The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has confirmed that Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been found in captive white-tail deer on two separate farms in Van Buren County, Iowa. Both sites are quarantined while the Department works to trace potential exposures and contain the disease.

There is no evidence that CWD can spread to humans, pets or domestic livestock. CWD is a neurological disease that only affects deer, elk and moose. It is caused by an abnormal protein called a prion and impacts the brain of the infected animal. The prions can attach to soil and spread the disease among deer. Symptoms of the disease include excessive salivation, thirst and urination, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, listlessness as well as drooping ears and head.

The disease was detected as part of the Department’s voluntary CWD monitoring program. Participating producers test deceased farm-raised deer and elk over 12 months of age. Positive test results must be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture.

Chronic Wasting Disease was first identified in captive mule deer at a research facility in Colorado in 1967. The disease was then found in Wisconsin in 2002. Since 2002, Iowa has tested for CWD in 7,447 captive deer and elk as part of its surveillance program. The last confirmed case in Iowa was in Buchanan County in 2016.


###


Iowa’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Herd Certification Program (HCP)


CWD Program Standards


ADT/Traceability Fact sheet for interstate transport of Cervids


Regulatory Sample Collection


Public meeting on fatal deer disease set for March 10 in Leon

Leon, Iowa - Deer hunters who hunt in Decatur County take note– chronic wasting disease has shown up in your area. A hunter harvested wild deer taken during the first shotgun season in Decatur County has tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled a meeting on March 10, at 7 p.m., in the Central Decatur CSD, 1201 NE Poplar, in Leon, to discuss the status of chronic wasting disease in Iowa and how deer hunters can help stop or slow the spread of this disease.

Tyler Harms, wildlife biologist for the Iowa DNR, will coordinate the meeting. He said there are several things hunters can do today to help monitor for the disease.

“The first and most important is to allow sampling of hunter harvested deer,” he said. “Second, is to remove any mineral blocks and feeders that unnaturally concentrates deer and increases the chance of spreading any disease and finally report any sick or emaciated deer to the DNR.

“We want people to come to this meeting, ask their questions, hear the concerns from other hunters,” Harms said. “Deer hunting is an important tradition and, for some, a large part of their identity. It is also important to us and we need to work together to combat this disease. Our goal is to provide quality deer hunting today, tomorrow, and for future generations.”

The Iowa DNR has tested nearly 74,000 deer tissue samples for chronic wasting disease since monitoring began in 2002. The disease first appeared in Iowa’s wild deer herd in 2013. So far, there have been 89 positive tests.

The Iowa DNR sets an annual goal of collecting 6,900 deer tissue samples. The effort has focused on portions of northeast and eastern Iowa near Wisconsin, Illinois, and south-central Iowa near Missouri, where the disease has been detected. Additional testing has been conducted in Pottawattamie, Cerro Gordo and Davis counties, following positive tests from captive facilities. All counties have at least 15 samples collected annually. The disease has been found in every state around Iowa.

Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease belonging to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, or prion diseases. It attacks the brain of infected deer and elk causing the animals to lose weight, display abnormal behavior, lose body functions and die. It is always fatal to the infected animal.

“Deer hunting is one of Iowa’s great traditions. We want to educate and work with our hunters so we continue to have the best deer herd in the country for generations to come,” he said.

The Iowa DNR has more information about chronic wasting disease and other infectious disease online at www.iowadnr.gov/cwd. ;

Media Contact: Andy Kellner, Wildlife Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-975-8318.


Iowa CWD TSE Prion 2019/20 (confirmed or suspect) 43 cases to date Wild Cervid

Captive Population Positives (5)

Map Date February 4, 2020



see old history of this CWD blunder in Iowa here;

For Immediate Release Thursday, October 2, 2014

Dustin Vande Hoef 515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov

*** TEST RESULTS FROM CAPTIVE DEER HERD WITH CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RELEASED 79.8 percent of the deer tested positive for the disease ***

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced that the test results from the depopulation of a quarantined captive deer herd in north-central Iowa showed that 284 of the 356 deer, or 79.8% of the herd, tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/2014press/press10022014.asp

see archived url link;


For Immediate Release

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Dustin Vande Hoef 515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email Share on print More Sharing Services 1

TEST RESULTS FROM CAPTIVE DEER HERD WITH CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RELEASED 79.8 percent of the deer tested positive for the disease

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced that the test results from the depopulation of a quarantined captive deer herd in north-central Iowa showed that 284 of the 356 deer, or 79.8% of the herd, tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The owners of the quarantined herd have entered into a fence maintenance agreement with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, which requires the owners to maintain the 8’ foot perimeter fence around the herd premises for five years after the depopulation was complete and the premises had been cleaned and disinfected

CWD is a progressive, fatal, degenerative neurological disease of farmed and free-ranging deer, elk, and moose. There is no known treatment or vaccine for CWD. CWD is not a disease that affects humans.

On July 18, 2012, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, IA confirmed that a male white tail deer harvested from a hunting preserve in southeast IA was positive for CWD. An investigation revealed that this animal had just been introduced into the hunting preserve from the above-referenced captive deer herd in north-central Iowa.

The captive deer herd was immediately quarantined to prevent the spread of CWD. The herd has remained in quarantine until its depopulation on August 25 to 27, 2014.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship participated in a joint operation to depopulate the infected herd with USDA Veterinary Services, which was the lead agency, and USDA Wildlife Services.

Federal indemnity funding became available in 2014. USDA APHIS appraised the captive deer herd of 376 animals at that time, which was before depopulation and testing, at $1,354,250. At that time a herd plan was developed with the owners and officials from USDA and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Once the depopulation was complete and the premises had been cleaned and disinfected, indemnity of $917,100.00 from the USDA has been or will be paid to the owners as compensation for the 356 captive deer depopulated.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship operates a voluntary CWD program for farms that sell live animals. Currently 145 Iowa farms participate in the voluntary program. The above-referenced captive deer facility left the voluntary CWD program prior to the discovery of the disease as they had stopped selling live animals. All deer harvested in a hunting preserve must be tested for CWD.

-30-

http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/2014press/press10022014.asp

new archived url link;


5. On July 16, 2012, DNR received a notice from the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab ("Texas Vet Lab”) that a sample from an adult male deer killed at Pine Ridge tested presumptively positive for CWD. (DNR has an agreement with the Texas Vet Lab to run these preliminary tests.) Because the Texas Vet Lab found this presumptive positive result, protocols required the sample to be sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory ("National Lab”) in Ames, Iowa for final confirmation. On July 18, 2012, the National Lab confirmed the positive CWD result in the deer.

6. On July 19, 2012, DNR notified the Brakkes of the positive test by phone. Mr. Brakke was out of state.

snip...

12. The Brakkes depopulated the Hunting Preserve, as specified in the Agreement, from September 10, 2012 to January 31, 2013. As part of this effort, the Brakkes, the staff and their customers killed 199 captive deer and nine captive elk. The DNR obtained 170 CWD samples. (Samples were not taken from fawns and one adult female who was killed in a manner that made sampling impossible.) Of these 199 deer, two additional adult male deer tested positive for CWD. Information provided by the Brakkes confirmed that these two additional deer originated from the Brakke Breeding Facility.

13. DNR installed, with the Brakke's permission, an interior electric fence on October 1and 2, 2012.

14. The Brakkes cleaned and disinfected, under DNR supervision, the feeders and ground surrounding the feeders on April 5, 2013.

15. On April 26, 2013, the Brakkes hand-delivered a notice to the DNR’s Chief of Law Enforcement Bureau, notifying the DNR that they would no longer operate a hunting preserve on the Quarantined Premises. The Brakkes did not reveal any plans to remove the fence around the Quarantined Premises or to remove the gates to and from the Quarantined Premises in this April 26, 2013 letter.

16. On June 3, 2013, DNR became aware that sections of the exterior fence surrounding the Quarantined Premises had been removed and that some, if not all, of the exterior gates to and from the Quarantined Premises were open.

17. On June 4, 2013, DNR received reports from the public in the area that four wild deer were observed inside the Quarantined Premises.

18. On June 5, 2013, DNR conducted a fence inspection, after gaining approval from surrounding landowners, and confirmed that the fenced had been cut or removed in at least four separate locations; that the fence had degraded and was failing to maintain the enclosure around the Quarantined Premises in at least one area; that at least three gates had been opened; and that deer tracks were visible in and around one of the open areas in the sand on both sides of the fence, evidencing movement of deer into the Quarantined Premises.

IV. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

snip... On June 5, 2013,

DNR conducted a fence inspection, after gaining approval from surrounding landowners, and confirmed that the fenced had been cut or removed in at least four separate locations; that the fence had degraded and was failing to maintain the enclosure around the Quarantined Premises in at least one area; that at least three gates had been opened...


***79.8 percent of the deer tested positive for the disease ***

***test results from the depopulation of a quarantined captive deer herd in north-central Iowa showed that 284 of the 356 deer, or 79.8% of the herd, tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). ***

For Immediate Release

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Dustin Vande Hoef 515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email Share on print More Sharing Services 1

TEST RESULTS FROM CAPTIVE DEER HERD WITH CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RELEASED 79.8 percent of the deer tested positive for the disease

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced that the test results from the depopulation of a quarantined captive deer herd in north-central Iowa showed that 284 of the 356 deer, or 79.8% of the herd, tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The owners of the quarantined herd have entered into a fence maintenance agreement with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, which requires the owners to maintain the 8’ foot perimeter fence around the herd premises for five years after the depopulation was complete and the premises had been cleaned and disinfected CWD is a progressive, fatal, degenerative neurological disease of farmed and free-ranging deer, elk, and moose. There is no known treatment or vaccine for CWD. CWD is not a disease that affects humans.

On July 18, 2012, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, IA confirmed that a male white tail deer harvested from a hunting preserve in southeast IA was positive for CWD. An investigation revealed that this animal had just been introduced into the hunting preserve from the above-referenced captive deer herd in north-central Iowa.

The captive deer herd was immediately quarantined to prevent the spread of CWD. The herd has remained in quarantine until its depopulation on August 25 to 27, 2014.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship participated in a joint operation to depopulate the infected herd with USDA Veterinary Services, which was the lead agency, and USDA Wildlife Services.

Federal indemnity funding became available in 2014. USDA APHIS appraised the captive deer herd of 376 animals at that time, which was before depopulation and testing, at $1,354,250. At that time a herd plan was developed with the owners and officials from USDA and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Once the depopulation was complete and the premises had been cleaned and disinfected, indemnity of $917,100.00 from the USDA has been or will be paid to the owners as compensation for the 356 captive deer depopulated.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship operates a voluntary CWD program for farms that sell live animals. Currently 145 Iowa farms participate in the voluntary program. The above-referenced captive deer facility left the voluntary CWD program prior to the discovery of the disease as they had stopped selling live animals. All deer harvested in a hunting preserve must be tested for CWD.

-30-

http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/2014press/press10022014.asp

new archived url link;


IOWA DNR EMERGENCY CONSENT ORDER IN THE MATTER OF TOM & LINDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING LODGE UPDATE AUGUST 21, 2013

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY CONSENT ORDER

IN THE MATTER OF:

TOM & RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING LODGE Davis County, Iowa

EMERGENCY CONSENT ORDER NO. 2013-HP-

TO: Tom and Rhonda Brakke, Owners of Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge 22529 Balsam Ave. Clear Lake, IA 50428

1. SUMMARY

This Emergency Consent Order is entered into between the Director of the lowe Department of Naturel Resources (“DNR”) and Tom and Rhonda Brakke D/B/A Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge (“the Brakkes”) related to violations alleged by the DNR to have occurred at the premises they previously managed as a hunting preserve, Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge (“Pine Ridge”). This Emergency Consent Order is entered into between the parties for the purpose of settling the issues which were the subject of a hearing for a stay of the Emergency Order issued by the DNR on June 5, 2013 ("Emergency Order”).

This Emergency Consent Order supersedes the Emergency Order issued on June 6, 2013 with respect to sections V.5 and V.6 only and only to the extent the terms here in are inconsistent with the terms of sections V.5 and V.6 of such Emergency Order. Nothing herein shall be construed in any way as an admission of any issues or liability by any of the parties to this Emergency Consent Order.

Questions regarding this Emergency Consent Order should be directed to:

Relating to technical requirements (DNR): Dr. Dale Garner, Wildlife Bureau Chief Iowa Department of Natural Resources 502 East Ninth Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319Phone: 515-281-6156

Relating to legal requirements (DNR): Kelley Myers, Attorney for the DNR Iowa Department of Natural Resources 502 East Ninth Street Des Moines, iowa 50319Phone: 515-281-5534

Angie Bruce, Wildlife Bureau Executive Officer Iowa Department of Natural Resources 502 East Ninth Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319 Phone: 515-281-8070

Relating to technical requirements (Brakkes): Relating to legal requirements (Brakkes):

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lOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY CONSENT ORDER ISSUED TO: TOM AND RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PlNE RIDGE HUNTlNG PRESERVE

Tom Brakke 22529 Balsam Avenue Clear Lake, IA 50428 Phone: (641)425-2095

Rebecca A. Bromrnel BrownWinick 666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000 Des Moines, IA50309Phone: (515)242-2452

ll. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

1. DNR issued an Emergency Order on June 6, 2013, which required the Brakkes to comply with six separate provisions.

2. - Upon issuance of the Emergency Order, DNR requested the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals to set the case for a contested case hearing consistent with Iowa Code chapter 17A and 561 lAC chapter 7.

3. The Brakkes, through their counsel, appealed the Emergency Order on June 25, 2013. The Brakkes, through their counsel, flied a Motion for Stay on June 27, 2013, requesting the administrative law judge stay the Emergency Order.

4. The presiding administrative law judge, Judge Heather Palmer, issued the Notice for Hearing on June 18, 2013.

5. The parties, in prehearing conference with the judge, agreed that the hearing would be treated as a hearing on a motion for a stay, consistent with 561 lAC section 7.18(5).

6. The parties agreed to settle prior to the judge deciding whether to issue a stay ofthe Emergency Order. This Emergency Consent Order includes the terms of that settlement.

III. ORDER

THEREFORE, DNR orders and the Brakkes agree, without admitting any fault or any liability, to do the following:

1. The parties agree that an electrified fence just inside the existing high perimeter fence shall be restored or reconstructed on the following terms:

a. Electric Fence. The Brakkes shall maintain such electrified fence until such time as described in paragraph b below. The following terms shall apply to the electric fence:

i. Initiation of the construction and reconstruction efforts must commence by July 10, 2013, and be completed by July 22, 2013 unless unforeseen conditions are encountered or extenuating circumstances arise.

ii. The Brakkes and DNR shall split the cost of the materials for and/or installation of the fence 50-50. DNR intends to provide its staff for labor

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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY CONSENT ORDER ISSUED TO: TOM AND RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING PRESERVE

and such labor costs shall be the responsibility of DNR and not included in the costs to be divided with the Brakkes.

iii. The fence shall be installed in such a manner as to ensure its effectiveness but also ease its maintenance. This may require, among other features, attachment to existing perimeter fencing so that the electrified portions come up from the ground at an approximate 45 degree angle. Regardless of the design, the fence must include an electrified wire every linear foot for at least three feet. The final design, which should be consistent with this section, shall be subject to the approval of at least one of the DNR’s biologists identified in paragraph c below and the Brakkes. The fence should be designed and installed in a manner that the 50 percent amount to be paid by the Brakkes for such fence does not exceed the amount the Brakkes paid pursuant to the September 7, 2012 Agreement for Chronic Wasting Disease Recovery Plan at Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.

iv. After construction is complete, the Brakkes shall be solely responsible for all fence repairs, maintenance and associated costs, except as stated in paragraph 3(a)(vii) below.

v. One of the DNR Wildlife biologists identified in paragraph c shall conduct a weekly internal perimeter fence inspection and shall note all reasonable repairs that must be made to make and keep the fence functional. All necessary repairs identified by the biologist shall be submitted to the Brakkes in writing and completed within 24 hours from the date of the submission, unless such repairs cannot be reasonably completed within such time but provided such repairs are completed within a reasonable time thereafter.

vi. One of the DNR Wildlife biologists identified in paragraph c shall conduct an internal perimeter fence inspection at the washout locations along the perimeter of Pine Ridge within one day of a significant rain event and shall note all reasonable repairs that must be made to make and keep the fence functional. All necessary repairs identified by the biologist shall be submitted to the Brakkes in writing and completed within 24 hours of the date of the submission, unless such repairs cannot be reasonably completed within such time but provided such repairs are completed within are reasonable time thereafter.

vii. If during their inspection, one of the biologist observes a breach or other damage to either the perimeter or electric fence that requires immediate action to prevent animal release or harm, DNR shall repair such damage on the spot and at its own expense. The biologist shall notify the Brakkes of such repairs and direct them to make additional repairs if needed.

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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY CONSENT ORDER ISSUED TO: TOM AND RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING PRESERVE

viii. At no time during the time in which the electric fence is required shall the DNR wildlife biologists identified in paragraph c enter Pine Ridge without first providing notice to the Brakkes.

ix. The electric fence requirements set forth herein shall terminate once depopulation, as set forth below, is completed and such depopulation is confirmed by DNR.

b. Depopulation. The Brakkes shall depopulate the wild deer on Pine Ridge or shall authorize one of the DNR Wildlife biologists identified in paragraph c, to conduct such activities, as soon as is practicable or feasible given weather and terrain conditions. The following conditions shall apply:

i. The Brakkes may destroy the deer through any lawful means or may rely on the DNR Wildlife Biologists identified in paragraph c below to conduct such depopulation.

ii. Depopulation activities shall occur until the DNR Wildlife biologists conclude that all wild deer on Pine Ridge are destroyed or are likely destroyed. Such judgment shall be based on the observation and professional judgment of the biologist. To that end, the biologist must be provided with reasonable access to Pine Ridge to make such judgment.

iii. Depopulation activities must occur prior to the end of the 2013-2014 hunting season.

iv. Any deer destroyed pursuant to this Emergency Consent Order shall be immediately provided to or made available to DNR staff identified in paragraph c in order to ensure that testing and disposal can occur. DNR shall collect requisite samples and submit them for CWD testing. DNR shall share all results related to deer killed-on Pine Ridge with the Brakkes upon receipt of the same. DNR shall be responsible for all testing and disposal costs related to these efforts.

c. DNR Wildlife Staff. The Brakkes shall refer all communications related to fencing orde population to the following DNR Wildlife Staff: Dr. Dale Garner, Wildlife Bureau Chief, Angi Bruce, Executive Officer 3; Bill Ohde, Wiidlife District Supervisor; Keith Wilcox, Natural Resources Technician 2; Lincoln Utt, Natural Resources Technician 1; and Darwin Emmons, Natural Resources Technician 1. The Brakkes may suggest additions to this list during the term of this Emergency Consent Order with such request being made, in writing or email, to Dr. Dale Garner.

2. The Brakkes shall not be required to submit an operational plan, as described in section V.6 of the Emergency Order, pending a hearing on the merits or resolution of this case.

IV. DISPOSITION OF MOTION FOR STAY

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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY CONSENT ORDER ISSUED TO: TOM AND RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING PRESERVE

This Emergency Consent Order resolves the Motion for Stay filed by the Brakkes on June 27, 2013. DNR acknowledges the Brakkes have appealed the Emergency Order and such portions that are subject to their appeal may be heard in the hearing on the merits that is tentatively set for November of 2013 regardless of this Emergency Consent Order.

V. NONCOMPLIANCE

Failure to knowingly comply with this Emergency Consent Order may result in referral of this matter to the Attorney General or any other appropriate legal authority for relief as allowed by law.

CHUCK GIPP, DIRECTOR Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Dated this 3rd day of July, 2013

TOM BRAKKE, CO-OWNER Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge

Dated this 3 day of July, 2013

CC: Kelley Myers, Rebecca Brommel

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/Hunting/070313_consent_order.pdf

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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY ORDER

IN THE MATTER OF:

TOM & RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING LODGE Davis County, Iowa

EMERGENCY ORDER

NO. 2013-HP-

TO: Tom and Rhonda Brakke, Owners of Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge 22529 Balsam Ave. Clear Lake, IA 50428

I. SUMMARY

This Emergency Order is issued by the Director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources ("DNR") to Tom and Rhonda Brakke D/B/A Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge ("the Brakkes”) for the purpose of resolving violations which occurred when the Brakkes removed portions of the fence surrounding the premises they manage or have managed as a hunting preserve, Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge, an area under quarantine for chronic wasting disease ("CWD"). This Emergency Order requires the Brakkes to stop immediately the deconstruction of the fence surrounding the Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge hunting preserve ("Quarantined Premises"); to restore immediately the portions of the fence so removed or degraded; to maintain the fence as an adequate quarantine around the Quarantined Premises for a period of five years; to close immediately and keep closed all gates to return the Quarantined Premises to a closed state; to authorize DNR to access the Quarantined Premises for a limited duration for the purposes of depopulating any deer that may be present; and to submit and agree to execute a plan designed to prevent the spread of CWD from the Quarantined Premises.

Questions regarding this Emergency Order should be directed to:

Relating to technical requirements:

Relating to legal requirements:

Dr. Dale Garner, Wildlife Bureau Chief Iowa Department of Natural Resources 502 East Ninth Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319 Phone: 515-281-6156

Kelley Myers, Attorney for the DNR Iowa Department of Natural Resources 502 East Ninth Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319 Phone: 515-281-5634

Angie Bruce, Wildlife Bureau Executive Officer Iowa Department of Natural Resources 502 East Ninth Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319 Phone: 515-281-8070

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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED TO: TOM AND RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING PRESERVE

II. JURISDICTION

Pursuant to Iowa Code section 484C.4, which requires the Director to enforce the hunting preserve program and requirements; Iowa Code section 456A.23, which requires the DNR to protect wild animals and enforce by proper actions and proceedings the laws, rules and regulations relating to them; Iowa Code section 456A.25, which authorizes the Director to issue an order after investigation has occurred to secure compliance with the laws and rules DNR is entrusted to enforce; 571 Iowa Administrative Code ("IAC") section 115.10, requiring the Brakkes to maintain the quarantine for a period of at least five years; and 561 IAC section 7.18, which is incorporated by reference in 571 IAC chapter 7, which authorizes the Director to issue an emergency order requiring cessation of an activity and requiring an affirmative action when necessary to prevent or avoid immediate danger to the welfare of the state, DNR has jurisdiction to issue this Emergency Order.

III. STATEMENT OF FACTS

1. The wild deer hunting industry generates approximately $200 million annually for Iowa’s economy and is responsible for the creation of over 2000 jobs, annually. In addition, the tax revenue for the state and federal governments attributed to this wild deer hunting industry in Iowa is approximately $30 million combined, annually. In addition, wild deer are native to the State of Iowa and constitute a public resource held in trust by the state of Iowa.

2. Iowa Code authorizes the establishment and management of hunting preserves. These facilities are fenced facilities wherein customers traditionally pay the operator to participate in a hunt on the fenced property. The deer within the hunting preserve are whitetail and considered preserve deer. Wild animals may not be caught to populate the hunting preserve (except for some remaining deer upon the initial erection of the fences and after diligent efforts to remove those wild deer); instead, the hunting preserves are populated by natural breeding on the preserve grounds and by introduction of farm deer provided by breeding facilities.

3. Consistent with its statutory and administrative authorities, DNR manages diseases in deer, in particular CWD, because wild deer roam many hundreds of miles and can transmit CWD through saliva, nasal fluid, urine and excrement. The spread of CWD is made more virulent by virtue of the fact that CWD is not a virus or bacteria; it is a disease caused by transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prions. These prions are infectious and self-propagating, meaning they can live without an animal host in the ground, and no known cure exists. The spread of this disease appears more likely where deer are crowded or congregated, which is why CWD testing is done at hunting preserves in Iowa. Other states that have experienced CWD outbreaks in the wild herd have not been able to stop them. The costs of CWD outbreaks are both financial, in lost hunting revenues for local businesses and farmers and lost tax revenues related to the hunting and traveling associated with hunting, as well as social, with the stigmatizing of one of Iowa’s cherished local traditions.

4. The Brakkes operated the Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge ("Pine Ridge") as a hunting preserve, authorized by Iowa Code chapter 484C and regulated by 571 IAC chapter 115. DNR issued the most recent license to the Brakkes to operate the hunting preserve at Pine Ridge from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.

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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED TO: TOM AND RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING PRESERVE

5. On July 16, 2012, DNR received a notice from the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab ("Texas Vet Lab”) that a sample from an adult male deer killed at Pine Ridge tested presumptively positive for CWD. (DNR has an agreement with the Texas Vet Lab to run these preliminary tests.) Because the Texas Vet Lab found this presumptive positive result, protocols required the sample to be sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory ("National Lab”) in Ames, Iowa for final confirmation. On July 18, 2012, the National Lab confirmed the positive CWD result in the deer.

6. On July 19, 2012, DNR notified the Brakkes of the positive test by phone. Mr. Brakke was out of state.

7. On July 23, 2012, DNR met with the Brakkes to initiate an epidemiological investigation. This investigation would help determine where the infected deer came from and make preliminary assessments about the extent of the exposure. The Brakkes provided information including their herd inventory and photographic evidence of the animals killed on the date the infected deer was killed. Also present at this meeting were representatives from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship ("IDALS"), the United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") and the Iowa Whitetail Deer Association, an Iowa non-profit organization. IDALS regulates breeding programs that sometimes populate hunting preserves. USDA regulates interstate transport of captive deer; its veterinarian designated as the Area Veterinarian in Charge would have been involved to determine if the diseased captive deer are or may have been moved through interstate commerce and/or transport.

8. Based on information provided by the Brakkes, DNR concluded that captive deer killed on the Hunting Preserve on the same day as the infected deer were located in Florida, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Iowa. Between July 27, 2012 and August 6, 2012, DNR worked with law enforcement officials from those other states to collect samples from the antlers of those deer for DNA testing. These tests would help to identify the origin of the infected deer and verify Brakke's prior documents that the infected deer came from the breeding facility run by the Tom and Rhonda Brakke in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa ("Brakke’s Breeding Facility"). These samples were obtained in a manner to preserve the chain of custody.

9. On August 10, 2012, the Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Forensic and Fish Health Laboratory ("Wyoming Lab") provided DNR results for the seven specimens provided to it. (DNR has an agreement with the Wyoming Lab to conduct DNA testing.) The results confirmed that the infected deer originated from the Brakke's Breeding Facility.

10. On August 13, 2012, DNR notified the Brakkes of the DNA results by telephone. DNR advised the Brakkes that they would need to meet with DNR to develop a plan to address the CWD infection at the Hunting Preserve. DNR would have also been communicating with IDALS consistent with the Plan.

11. On September 7, 2012, DNR and the Brakkes executed an agreement ("Agreement") to depopulate the Hunting Preserve by January 31, 2013, and to clean and disinfect the Hunting Preserve. It also contained a general Compliance with Laws provision, which required the Brakkes to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, including without limitation the rules described in 571 Iowa Administrative Code section 115.10 related to the maintenance of a

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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED TO: TOM AND RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING PRESERVE

quarantine on the Quarantined Premises and the prohibition of deer movement in or out of the Quarantined Premises.

12. The Brakkes depopulated the Hunting Preserve, as specified in the Agreement, from September 10, 2012 to January 31, 2013. As part of this effort, the Brakkes, the staff and their customers killed 199 captive deer and nine captive elk. The DNR obtained 170 CWD samples. (Samples were not taken from fawns and one adult female who was killed in a manner that made sampling impossible.) Of these 199 deer, two additional adult male deer tested positive for CWD. Information provided by the Brakkes confirmed that these two additional deer originated from the Brakke Breeding Facility.

13. DNR installed, with the Brakke's permission, an interior electric fence on October 1and 2, 2012.

14. The Brakkes cleaned and disinfected, under DNR supervision, the feeders and ground surrounding the feeders on April 5, 2013.

15. On April 26, 2013, the Brakkes hand-delivered a notice to the DNR’s Chief of Law Enforcement Bureau, notifying the DNR that they would no longer operate a hunting preserve on the Quarantined Premises. The Brakkes did not reveal any plans to remove the fence around the Quarantined Premises or to remove the gates to and from the Quarantined Premises in this April 26, 2013 letter.

16. On June 3, 2013, DNR became aware that sections of the exterior fence surrounding the Quarantined Premises had been removed and that some, if not all, of the exterior gates to and from the Quarantined Premises were open.

17. On June 4, 2013, DNR received reports from the public in the area that four wild deer were observed inside the Quarantined Premises.

18. On June 5, 2013, DNR conducted a fence inspection, after gaining approval from surrounding landowners, and confirmed that the fenced had been cut or removed in at least four separate locations; that the fence had degraded and was failing to maintain the enclosure around the Quarantined Premises in at least one area; that at least three gates had been opened; and that deer tracks were visible in and around one of the open areas in the sand on both sides of the fence, evidencing movement of deer into the Quarantined Premises.

IV. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1. Iowa Code section 484C.3 authorizes the DNR to adopt rules to administer the Preserve Whitetail program authorized by Iowa Code chapter 484C. DNR, through the Natural Resource Commission, has adopted rules in 571 IAC chapter 104 and 115 to limit movement of captive deer, monitor diseases among captive deer and establish requirements for hunting preserves authorized by the Preserve Whitetail program.

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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED TO: TOM AND RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING PRESERVE

2. Iowa Code section 484C.4 authorizes the DNR to develop, administer and enforce hunting preserve programs consistent with the requirements both in Iowa Code chapter 484C and rules promulgated pursuant thereto.

3. Iowa Code section 484C.6(1) requires fences installed in and around hunting preserves to comply with rules adopted by the DNR; this requirement would include the fencing requirements found in 571 IAC section 115.10 and discussed in paragraph 6 of this section below. The Agreement, through the Compliance with Laws provision, requires the maintenance of a quarantine on the Quarantined Premises and the prohibition of deer movement in or out of the Quarantined Premises; such requirement would survive termination of the Agreement by virtue of being law.

4. Iowa Code section 484C.12(1) requires that any whitetail deer confined in hunting preserves are free of diseases and authorizes DNR to establish a quarantine for the infected whitetail population. The facts stated above demonstrate that CWD was found within the Brakkes whitetail population at the Quarantined Premises and that Brakkes were knowledgeable of such determination.

5. Iowa Code section 484C.12(2) requires the landowner and an epidemiologist appointed by the DNR, to develop a plan in the event a reportable disease, such as CWD, is found. The plan must include the eradication of the reportable disease among the preserve whitetail population as well as a plan both to reduce and eliminate the reportable disease and to prevent the spread of disease to other animals. The plan must comply with the DNR's rules, must be approved by the DNR and must be incorporated into an agreement between the landowner, or the Iandowner’s veterinarian, and epidemiologist appointed by the DNR. The facts stated above demonstrate that the Brakkes worked with the DNR to depopulate the Quarantined Area but that the Brakkes did not develop a future operational plan to address how they would continue to prevent the spread of disease to other animals.

6. 571 IAC section 115.10 requires a five-year quarantine be placed on a preserve and any remaining animals on the preserve when CWD is found in any animals on a preserve. (Currently CWD is only found in the animal family cervidae, which include deer and elk.) The rules prohibit animal movement in or out of the preserve during the quarantine period. The facts stated above demonstrate that the Brakkes have violated this rule requirement in their removal of the fence and opening ofthe gates.

7. Iowa Code section 17A.18A authorizes the Director of the DNR to take action necessary to prevent or avoid immediate danger to the public welfare. The Brakke’s failure to maintain the quarantine of the Quarantined Premises will allow for the spread of CWD beyond a captive herd. Once wild deer are exposed to CWD that exists on the Quarantined Area, DNR will not have a mechanism to limit the exposure to the remainder of the wild deer population. Iowa's wild deer herd serves a multi-million dollar industry in the state of Iowa and provides over $15 million in tax revenue to the state. The spread of CWD into the wild population would cripple the whitetail hunting industry in Iowa.

8. 561 IAC section 7.18 (which is incorporated by reference in 571 IAC chapter 7) authorizes the Director of the DNR to issue this Emergency Order to the extent necessary to prevent

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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED TO: TOM AND RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING PRESERVE

or avoid immediate danger to the welfare of the citizens of Iowa. This authority authorizes the Director of the DNR to require a person or persons to immediately cease an offending activity or take an affirmative action to avoid or mitigate the offending action. This emergency action is necessary for the reasons stated in paragraph 7 of this section.

V. ORDER

THEREFORE, DNR orders the Brakkes to do the following immediately:

1. The Brakkes shall immediately discontinue the deconstruction of the fence surrounding the Quarantined Premises.

2. The Brakkes shall completely restore the portions of the fence surrounding the Quarantined Premises that have been removed or degraded by no later than June 7, 2013.

3. The Brakkes shall maintain the fence surrounding the Quarantined Premises, as an adequate quarantine until December 28, 2017, which is a period of five years from date of the last positive CWD diagnosis on the Quarantined Premises, which was December 28, 2012.

4. The Brakkes shall close by June 7, 2013, and keep closed, all gates to and from the Quarantined Premises to return the Quarantined Premises to a closed state.

5. The Brakkes shall authorize DNR officials to access the Quarantined Premises for a period of four weeks from date the Brakkes satisfy paragraphs 1 and 2 of this section for the purposes of depopulating any deer that may be on the Quarantined Premises. DNR shall recover and test those deer, if any, for CWD and report the findings to the Brakkes.

6. The Brakkes shall submit an operational plan, consistent with Iowa Code section 484C.12(2) that demonstrates how they shall comply with the quarantine requirements imposed by 571 IAC section 115.10. It shall be designed to prevent the spread of CWD to other animals. Such plan shall be reviewed by the DNR and shall be memorialized in an agreement among the Brakkes or the Brakkes’ veterinarian, the DNR and the State of Iowa's epidemiologist.

VI. HEARING

Pursuant to Iowa Code section 17A.18A(5), this Emergency Order is being transmitted to the Department of Inspections and Appeals so that the order may be set for immediate hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You will be promptly notified of the hearing time and place. Consistent with 561 IAC section 7.18(5) (incorporated by reference into 571 IAC chapter 7), you may seek a stay of this Emergency Order consistent with the procedures identified therein.

VII. NONCOMPLIANCE

Failure to comply with this Emergency Order may result in referral of this matter to the Attorney General to obtain injunctive relief, any civil penalties authorized by Iowa Code section 484C.13 and any civil damages attributed to the spread of CWD from the Quarantined Premises to

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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED TO: TOM AND RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING PRESERVE

the wild and other captive herds in the state or to the Davis County Attorney's Office for criminal prosecution consistent with Iowa Code section 484C.13.

CHUCK GIPP, DIRECTOR Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Dated this 6th day of June, 2013

CC: Kelley Myers

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/Hunting/060613_consent_order.pdf

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Iowa Judge Rules against IDALS Motion to Consolidate Brakke Cases

July 23, 2013

Iowa Judge Rules against IDALS Motion to Consolidate Brakke Cases

Iowa Assistant Attorney General to Inquire Constitutionality of CWD Standards Rationale Today, July 23, 2013, the Iowa Administrative Legal Judge ruled against a motion request by the Iowa Department of Land Stewardship (IDALS) to merge the two contested cases (Ag and IDNR) filed by the Brakke family into one. The motion would also delay hearing the merits for both cases until November. Tom and Rhonda Brakke filed suit against IDALS last fall to seek indemnity for their animals on their breeder farm. The Brakke’s filed a second suit against the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) in July 2013, after the IDNR issued an emergency order quarantining their 330 acres until December 28, 2017. The Brakke’s believe the two lawsuits are separate jurisdictions and constitutional takings even though they are both related to the exposure of Chronic Wasting Disease. In a statement issued by the Iowa Assistant Attorney General, "Both cases will involve a constitutional takings analysis, and that analysis will involve some level of discussion of the cience and rationale behind IDALS' and DNR's Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) quarantines policies and the USDA's Program Standards for CWD exposed herds or property." The American Cervid Alliance will distribute updates regarding the Iowa cases as they become available.

http://myewa.org/pdf/07_30_13/ACA_July_22_IOWA_AG.pdf

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Iowa Scrapie TSE Prion Surveillance Sheep and Goats ???

Iowa Progress: Since 1993, the state of Iowa has had 86 herds that have been infected with Scrapie and has made steady progress in eradicating Scrapie. The chart below shows the number of Scrapie Infected Flocks detected in Iowa since the calendar year 2002. The last case of Scrapie in an Iowa producer’s herd was in a goat herd in January 2014. This producer also had sheep that had been diagnosed with Scrapie in 2013.

https://www.iowaagriculture.gov/animalIndustry/pdf/2017/Scrapie/Scrapie%20Eradication%20Progress.pdf

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Scrapie surveillance:

The USDA sets minimum goals for Scrapie sampling for each state. This sampling can be done at Slaughter or On-Farm.

Iowa has never had a problem reaching our goal for sheep but since the Scrapie goat herd in NW IA was discovered in January 2014, the USDA has increased our goat surveillance goal.

We have never been able to reach our increased surveillance goals for goats due to the fact that Iowa has no slaughter plants for adult goats and not all goats are required to have Scrapie ID.


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For Immediate Release Monday, July 23, 2012

Dustin Vande Hoef Communications Director 515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov

Contact: Kevin Baskins, DNR 515-281-8395

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE FOUND IN IOWA

DES MOINES – A white-tail deer at a hunting preserve in Davis County has become the first positive detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Iowa. The positive sample was verified this week, and DNR is working closely with the State Veterinarian on this isolated incident.

There is no evidence that CWD can spread to humans, pets or domestic livestock such as pork, beef, dairy, poultry, sheep or goats.

The Davis County facility where the animal was held has been inspected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) to ensure that any remaining deer remain contained. The facility is surrounded by an eight-foot fence. A quarantine has also been issued for the facility.

“Given all of Iowa’s surrounding states have confirmed cases of CWD, Iowa DNR was prepared to address this isolated incident,” said DNR Deputy Director Bruce Trautman.

The DNR and IDALS have a CWD response plan in place to address the disease.

“We have a CWD surveillance program in place to test deer, elk and moose at the facilities that raise farm deer and we have worked closely with DNR to plan for a possible finding of the disease,” said Iowa State Veterinarian Dr. David Schmitt.

Iowa has tested 42,557 wild deer and over 4,000 captive deer and elk as part of the surveillance program since 2002 when CWD was found in Wisconsin.

The DNR will increase testing of wild deer in the area by working with hunters and landowners to collect samples from hunter harvested deer beginning this fall.

CWD is a neurological disease that only affects deer, elk and moose. It is caused by an abnormal protein, called a prion, which affects the brains of infected animals, causing them to lose weight, display abnormal behavior and lose bodily functions. Signs include excessive salivation, thirst and urination, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, listlessness and drooping ears and head.

The prions can attach to soil and spread the disease among deer. Chronic wasting disease was first identified in captive mule deer at a research facility in Colorado in 1967. Prior to the positive detection in Iowa, CWD had been detected in every bordering state.

-30-

https://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/2012press/press07232012b.asp

new archived url link (when it opens, page blank right side, skroll on down, old news release at bottom)


A Newsletter for the Iowa Sheep Industry ❖ December 2013

Scrapie Eradication Progress

by Gregory S. Schmitt, DVM

The National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP) started in 2001.

The goal for the NSEP is to have Scrapie eradicated by 2017.

U.S. Progress: This past Fiscal Year (FY13 = October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013) there were 11 newly identified Infected and Source flocks in the nation.

Two of these were goat herds.

In Fiscal Year 2011 there were 15 newly identified Infected and Source flocks and in FY 2012 there were 8.

This is down from a high of 181 in FY 2005.

Iowa progress:

Until this year, Iowa’s last case of Scrapie was found in July 2010.

This fall Iowa identified 1 new Source and 4 new infected flocks in NW Iowa.

The 4 Infected flocks occurred as a result of sales of breeding sheep out of the Source flock to other sheep producers.

Flock cleanup is ongoing in these flocks.

There have been a total of 82 sheep flocks in Iowa that have been found to be infected with Scrapie since the accelerated National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP) started in November 2001.

In Fiscal Year 2005, Iowa had a high of 15 newly found Source or Infected flocks.

http://d1cqrq366w3ike.cloudfront.net/http/DOCUMENT/SheepUSA/2013-december-lamb-and-wool.pdf

new archived url link


Iowa Animal Health News Volume 9, Issue 1 March, 2008

Iowa Progress: Since the program began in 11/01, 60 scrapie-infected flocks have been found in Iowa, with 7 of those found in 2007. Each year the number of flocks found to be infected with scrapie decreases in Iowa, so we are hopeful that we are making real progress. Most infected flocks are found through scrapie slaughter surveillance of adult breeding sheep. Although not all adult ewes are tested at slaughter, records show that among our Iowa sheep flocks with more than 50 head, that 70% of them have had at least one ewe sampled for scrapie at slaughter.

National Progress: As a result of a good collaborative effort between the sheep industry and the government, there has been a 34% decrease, between 2006 and 2007 in the percent of scrapie-positive sheep tested at slaughter, and the number of infected flocks also dropped by 38%. These drops were observed even though the number of sheep sampled at slaughter every year has increased. These numbers indicate that we are truly making progress in eradicating scrapie from the U.S. A total of 329 scrapie-infected sheep were found nationally testing during fiscal year 2007 through a combination of slaughter and on-the-farm testing. Twenty-four of those sheep were found in Iowa, with ten of those found at slaughter and the rest through on-the-farm testing that results from animals traced from infected flocks and animals found in infected flocks.

https://iowaagriculture.gov/sites/default/files/animal-industry/pdf/Newsletter/animalIndustryNews2008.pdf

new archived url link


Title: Scrapie transmits to white-tailed deer by the oral route and has a molecular profile similar to chronic wasting disease

Author item Greenlee, Justin item MOORE, S - Orise Fellow item SMITH, JODI - Iowa State University item Kunkle, Robert item WEST GREENLEE, M - Iowa State University Submitted to: American College of Veterinary Pathologists Meeting Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/2015 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The purpose of this work was to determine susceptibility of white-tailed deer (WTD) to the agent of sheep scrapie and to compare the resultant PrPSc to that of the original inoculum and chronic wasting disease (CWD). We inoculated WTD by a natural route of exposure (concurrent oral and intranasal (IN); n=5) with a US scrapie isolate. All scrapie-inoculated deer had evidence of PrPSc accumulation. PrPSc was detected in lymphoid tissues at preclinical time points, and deer necropsied after 28 months post-inoculation had clinical signs, spongiform encephalopathy, and widespread distribution of PrPSc in neural and lymphoid tissues. Western blotting (WB) revealed PrPSc with 2 distinct molecular profiles. WB on cerebral cortex had a profile similar to the original scrapie inoculum, whereas WB of brainstem, cerebellum, or lymph nodes revealed PrPSc with a higher profile resembling CWD. Homogenates with the 2 distinct profiles from WTD with clinical scrapie were further passaged to mice expressing cervid prion protein and intranasally to sheep and WTD. In cervidized mice, the two inocula have distinct incubation times. Sheep inoculated intranasally with WTD derived scrapie developed disease, but only after inoculation with the inoculum that had a scrapie-like profile. The WTD study is ongoing, but deer in both inoculation groups are positive for PrPSc by rectal mucosal biopsy. In summary, this work demonstrates that WTD are susceptible to the agent of scrapie, two distinct molecular profiles of PrPSc are present in the tissues of affected deer, and inoculum of either profile readily passes to deer.



WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023

Iowa Annual surveillance confirms 96 deer and three new counties for chronic wasting disease


CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CASESCWD STATUS OF CAPTIVE HERDS Updated January 2023

10/2017 3Y Male, harvested at Waupaca County WI Iowa WTD Breeder Yes Yes 107 Depopulated


MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021

Iowa Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion 111 Wild Deer Positive To Date


TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

Iowa Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Update 91 Positive as of December 3, 2020


TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

Iowa Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Cases Climb To 89 positive To Date in Wild Cervid


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

Iowa CWD TSE Prion 2019/20 (confirmed or suspect) 43 cases to date Wild Cervid


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2019

Iowa Two Cases of Chronic Wasting Disease Found at Deer Farms


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2018

Iowa DNR Wayne County Confirms CWD with 7 additional CWD positive tests so far from deer in northeast from 2017 season


FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

IOWA CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD TSE PRION TOTAL TO DATE 304 CASES WILD AND CAPTIVE REPORT UPDATE JULY 2016


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2018

Iowa DNR Wayne County Confirms CWD with 7 additional CWD positive tests so far from deer in northeast from 2017 season


TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

Iowa Preliminary CWD TSE Prion Minimal Low Testing Reports 2 Confirmed With 5 Suspects To Date for 2017 Season


TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017

Iowa 12 deer test positive for chronic wasting disease from 2016-17 hunting seasons


WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2017

Iowa Clayton County deer tests positive for chronic wasting disease


THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

IOWA DNR CONFIRMS 9 CASES CWD from hunter-harvested deer from near Harpers Ferry during the 2016 hunting seasons


FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

IOWA CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD TSE PRION TOTAL TO DATE 304 CASES WILD AND CAPTIVE REPORT UPDATE JULY 2016 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2017


Iowa Supreme Court rules law allows quarantine of CWD deer, not land

This is very, very concerning imo.

IF this ruling is upheld as such ;

''The Iowa Supreme Court upheld the district court ruling — saying the law gives the DNR only the authority to quarantine the deer — not the land. The ruling says if the Iowa Legislature wants to expand the quarantine powers as suggested by the DNR, then it is free to do so.''

IF a 'precedent' is set as such, by the Legislature not intervening to expand quarantine powers to the DNR for CWD TSE Prion, and the precedent is set as such that the cervid industry and land there from, once contaminated with the CWD TSE Prion, are free to repopulate, sell the land, etc, imo, this will blow the lid off any containment efforts of this damn disease CWD TSE Prion. The Iowa Supreme Court did not just pass the cwd buck down the road, the Supreme Court of Iowa just threw the whole state of Iowa under the bus at 100 MPH. all those healthy deer, while the litigation was going on, well, they were incubating the cwd tse prion, loading up the land even more, and in the end, 79.8% of those healthy looking deer had CWD TSE Prion. what about the exposure to the other species that come across that land, and then off to some other land? this makes no sense to me, if this is set in stone and the Legislation does not stop it, and stop if fast, any containment of the cwd tse prion will be futile, imo...terry

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017

Iowa Supreme Court rules law allows quarantine of CWD deer, not land


Tuesday, December 20, 2016

IOWA CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE FOUND AT A DEER FARM IN BUCHANAN COUNTY


Friday, July 29, 2016

IOWA CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD TSE PRION TOTAL TO DATE 304 CASES WILD AND CAPTIVE REPORT UPDATE JULY 2016


SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2016

IOWA CHRONIC WASTING TSE PRION DISEASE UPDATE


Subject: IOWA DNR CONFIRMS 9 CASES CWD from hunter-harvested deer from near Harpers Ferry during the 2016 hunting seasons

DNR News Releases 

Wildlife, Nongame 1/25/2017 2:22:00 PM

Volunteers step forward to help DNR to collect additional deer samples near Harpers Ferry to look for chronic wasting disease

Nine samples from hunter-harvested deer from near Harpers Ferry during the 2016 hunting seasons have tested positive for chronic wasting disease, bringing the total of CWD positive deer from the area to 15. 

The disease is spread from animal to animal through nose to nose contact and through environmental contamination from urine, feces and saliva left by positive deer. There is no cure once an animal becomes infected. 

The DNR met with hunters and landowners in Harpers Ferry and Waukon on Jan. 18 to discuss collecting additional deer samples from areas where data is limited and to get more samples from the immediate areas where new positive cases were confirmed. At each meeting, attendees volunteered to help collect additional samples. 

“We hope to collect 250 to 300 samples from mature deer from a specific area around Harpers Ferry and that will do two things – provide information on specific areas in the target zone where we do not have any data and to remove animals from the area where CWD-positive deer have been found,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau. 

“There is no good news when it comes to chronic wasting disease. We know that if we leave it alone, it’s going to spread. By removing adult deer, we are trying to target animals that are most likely to carry the prion, which will slow the spread of the disease while still allowing for quality deer hunting experiences each fall.” 

Chronic wasting disease involves a misshapen protein called a prion. Since this is a protein, a deer’s body does not recognize it as a foreign substance, so it does not produce an antibody response. 

“There is no way to kill the prion and the disease is always fatal,” Garner said. 

The DNR established a scientific collection effort from Jan. 21 to Feb. 5 in a defined area near Harpers Ferry. 

Participants met with local DNR wildlife staff to discuss how to remove the deer, where they planned to focus their effort, and how to contact the DNR to provide the lymph nodes for testing. 

Once a sample is submitted, it takes two to three weeks to get results back.

Participants must have a scientific collectors permit and tags and must contact the DNR within 24 hours of collecting deer to arrange for sample collection. There is no fee for the permits. Participants may use shotguns, muzzleloaders, bows and rifles .24 caliber and larger. All other regulations, including the blaze orange requirement and shooting hours restrictions, apply. 

Permits are available from Noon to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the weekends until Feb. 5 at the Allamakee County Conservation office at 427 North First Street, in Harpers Ferry. A group leader may sign up other members by having their names and phone numbers. A similar effort took place in 2015. The collection had a goal of 200 samples, of which 105 deer were collected, providing 85 usable samples. Twenty fawns were not sampled. 

The Iowa DNR began collecting deer tissue samples in 2002 after the CWD outbreak in Wisconsin. Since then, more than 61,000 samples from wild deer and 4,000 samples from hunting preserve deer have been collected and tested. The first wild deer tested positive in 2013, followed by three in 2014, two in 2015 and nine so far in 2016. 

Chronic wasting disease is not just an Iowa issue; Minnesota has had a spike in deer testing positive for the disease as well. Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri and Wisconsin are all battling this disease. 

Participation is voluntary and there are ways other than removing deer to help slow the spread of CWD in this area. 

“We encourage everyone to not use piles of feed or salt-mineral licks to attract deer. These baited sites increase the concentration of deer which facilitates transmission of the disease,” said Garner. “And don’t leave a carcass or bones from this region to decay on the land. Place remains in heavy-duty plastic garbage bags to be properly disposed of in a landfill.” 

http://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-News-Releases/ArticleID/1145/Volunteers-step-forward-to-help-DNR-to-collect-additional-deer-samples-near-Harpers-Ferry-to-look-for-chronic-wasting-disease 


For Immediate Release Thursday, October 2, 2014 

Dustin Vande Hoef 515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov 

*** TEST RESULTS FROM CAPTIVE DEER HERD WITH CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RELEASED 79.8 percent of the deer tested positive for the disease *** 

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced that the test results from the depopulation of a quarantined captive deer herd in north-central Iowa showed that 284 of the 356 deer, or 79.8% of the herd, tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/2014press/press10022014.asp


*** see history of this CWD blunder here ;

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES EMERGENCY CONSENT ORDER IN THE MATTER OF:

EMERGENCY CONSENT ORDER TOM & RHONDA BRAKKE D/B/A PINE RIDGE HUNTING LODGE Davis County, lowa NO. 2013-HP-

TO: Tom and Rhonda Brakke, Owners of Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge 22529 Balsam Ave. Clear Lake, IA 50428

SUMMARY This Emergency Consent Order Is entered into between the Director of the lowa Department of Natural Resources (*DNR*) and Tom and Rhonda Brakke D/B/A Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge ("the Brakkes") related to violations alleged by the DNR to have occurred at the premises they previously managed as a hunting preserve, Pine Ridge Hunting Lodge (*Pine Ridge"). This Emergency Consent Order is entered into between the parties for the purpose of settling the issues which were the subject of a hearing for a stay of the Emergency Order issued by the DNR on June 6, 2013 ("Emergency Order").

This Emergency Consent Order supersedes the Emergency Order issued on June 6, 2013 with respect to sections V.5 and V.6 only and only to the extent the terms herein are inconsistent with the terms of sections V. and V.6 of such Emergency Order. Nothing herein shall be construed in any way as an admission of any issues or liability by any of the parties to this Emergency Consent Order.

Questions regarding this Emergency Consent Order should be directed to:

Relating to technical requirements (DNR): Dr. Dale Garner, Wildlife Bureau Chief lowa Department of Natural Resources 502 East Ninth Street Des Moines, lowa 50319 Phone: 515-281-6156

Relating to legal requirements (DNR): Kelley Myers, Attorney for the DNR lowa Department of Natural Resources 502 East Ninth Street Des Moines, lowa 50319 Phone: 515-281-5634

Angie Bruce, Wildlife Bureau Executive Officer lowa Department of Natural Resources 502 East Ninth Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319 Phone: 515-281-8070 Relating to technical requirements (Brakkes): Relating to legal requirements (Brakkes):

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/Hunting/070313_consent_order.pdf 


On June 5, 2013, DNR conducted a fence inspection, after gaining approval from surrounding landowners, and confirmed that the fenced had been cut or removed in at least four separate locations; that the fence had degraded and was failing to maintain the enclosure around the Quarantined Premises in at least one area; that at least three gates had been opened;and that deer tracks were visible in and around one of the open areas in the sand on both sides of the fence, evidencing movement of deer into the Quarantined Premises.

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/Hunting/060613_consent_order.pdf


 ***79.8 percent of the deer tested positive for the disease *** 

***test results from the depopulation of a quarantined captive deer herd in north-central Iowa showed that 284 of the 356 deer, or 79.8% of the herd, tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). *** 

For Immediate Release Thursday, October 2, 2014 

Dustin Vande Hoef 515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov 

TEST RESULTS FROM CAPTIVE DEER HERD WITH CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RELEASED 79.8 percent of the deer tested positive for the disease DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced that the test results from the depopulation of a quarantined captive deer herd in north-central Iowa showed that 284 of the 356 deer, or 79.8% of the herd, tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The owners of the quarantined herd have entered into a fence maintenance agreement with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, which requires the owners to maintain the 8’ foot perimeter fence around the herd premises for five years after the depopulation was complete and the premises had been cleaned and disinfected CWD is a progressive, fatal, degenerative neurological disease of farmed and free-ranging deer, elk, and moose. There is no known treatment or vaccine for CWD. CWD is not a disease that affects humans. On July 18, 2012, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, IA confirmed that a male white tail deer harvested from a hunting preserve in southeast IA was positive for CWD. An investigation revealed that this animal had just been introduced into the hunting preserve from the above-referenced captive deer herd in north-central Iowa. The captive deer herd was immediately quarantined to prevent the spread of CWD. The herd has remained in quarantine until its depopulation on August 25 to 27, 2014. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship participated in a joint operation to depopulate the infected herd with USDA Veterinary Services, which was the lead agency, and USDA Wildlife Services. Federal indemnity funding became available in 2014. USDA APHIS appraised the captive deer herd of 376 animals at that time, which was before depopulation and testing, at $1,354,250. At that time a herd plan was developed with the owners and officials from USDA and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Once the depopulation was complete and the premises had been cleaned and disinfected, indemnity of $917,100.00 from the USDA has been or will be paid to the owners as compensation for the 356 captive deer depopulated. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship operates a voluntary CWD program for farms that sell live animals. Currently 145 Iowa farms participate in the voluntary program. The above-referenced captive deer facility left the voluntary CWD program prior to the discovery of the disease as they had stopped selling live animals. All deer harvested in a hunting preserve must be tested for CWD. -30-

http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/2014press/press10022014.asp


Control of Chronic Wasting Disease OMB Control Number: 0579-0189APHIS-2021-0004 Singeltary Submission



Docket No. APHIS-2018-0011 Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification



APHIS Indemnity Regulations [Docket No. APHIS-2021-0010] RIN 0579-AE65 Singeltary Comment Submission

Comment from Singeltary Sr., Terry

Posted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on Sep 8, 2022



Docket No. FDA-2003-D-0432 (formerly 03D-0186) Use of Material from Deer and Elk in Animal Feed

PUBLIC SUBMISSION

Comment from Terry Singeltary Sr.

Posted by the Food and Drug Administration on May 17, 2016 Comment

Docket No. FDA-2003-D-0432 (formerly 03D-0186) Use of Material from Deer and Elk in Animal Feed Singeltary Submission



DEFRA

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.

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.....

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.....


Title: Horizontal transmission of chronic wasting disease in reindeer

Submitted to: Emerging Infectious Diseases Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/29/2016 Publication Date: 12/1/2016

Citation: Moore, S., Kunkle, R., Greenlee, M., Nicholson, E., Richt, J., Hamir, A., Waters, W., Greenlee, J. 2016. Horizontal transmission of chronic wasting disease in reindeer.

Emerging Infectious Diseases. 22(12):2142-2145. doi:10.3201/eid2212.160635.

Interpretive Summary: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that occurs in farmed and wild cervids (deer and elk) of North America and was recently diagnosed in a single free-ranging reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway. CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that is caused by infectious proteins called prions that are resistant to various methods of decontamination and environmental degradation. Little is known about the susceptibility of or potential for transmission amongst reindeer. In this experiment, we tested the susceptibility of reindeer to CWD from various sources (elk, mule deer, or white-tailed deer) after intracranial inoculation and tested the potential for infected reindeer to transmit to non-inoculated animals by co-housing or housing in adjacent pens. Reindeer were susceptible to CWD from elk, mule deer, or white-tailed deer sources after experimental inoculation. Most importantly, non-inoculated reindeer that were co-housed with infected reindeer or housed in pens adjacent to infected reindeer but without the potential for nose-to-nose contact also developed evidence of CWD infection. This is a major new finding that may have a great impact on the recently diagnosed case of CWD in the only remaining free-ranging reindeer population in Europe as our findings imply that horizontal transmission to other reindeer within that herd has already occurred. Further, this information will help regulatory and wildlife officials developing plans to reduce or eliminate CWD and cervid farmers that want to ensure that their herd remains CWD-free, but were previously unsure of the potential for reindeer to transmit CWD.

Technical Abstract: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a naturally-occurring, fatal prion disease of cervids. Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) are susceptible to CWD following oral challenge, and CWD was recently reported in a free-ranging reindeer of Norway. Potential contact between CWD-affected cervids and Rangifer species that are free-ranging or co-housed on farms presents a potential risk of CWD transmission. The aims of this study were to 1) investigate the transmission of CWD from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; CWDwtd), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus; CWDmd), or elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni; CWDelk) to reindeer via the intracranial route, and 2) to assess for direct and indirect horizontal transmission to non-inoculated sentinels. Three groups of 5 reindeer fawns were challenged intracranially with CWDwtd, CWDmd, or CWDelk. Two years after challenge of inoculated reindeer, non-inoculated negative control reindeer were introduced into the same pen as the CWDwtd inoculated reindeer (direct contact; n=4) or into a pen adjacent to the CWDmd inoculated reindeer (indirect contact; n=2). Experimentally inoculated reindeer were allowed to develop clinical disease. At death/euthanasia a complete necropsy examination was performed, including immunohistochemical testing of tissues for disease-associated CWD prion protein (PrPcwd). Intracranially challenged reindeer developed clinical disease from 21 months post-inoculation (months PI). PrPcwd was detected in 5 out of 6 sentinel reindeer although only 2 out of 6 developed clinical disease during the study period (< 57 months PI). We have shown that reindeer are susceptible to CWD from various cervid sources and can transmit CWD to naïve reindeer both directly and indirectly.


Conclusions

Potential sources of infectivity for direct contact animals include urine, feces, and saliva from their CWDwtd-challenged pen-mates, as has been shown for CWD-affected white-tailed deer (6,8,9). Pinpointing the source of infectivity in the indirect contact group is more difficult. Infectious prions can travel at least 30 m in airborne particulate (10), but because the negative control reindeer in the pen adjacent to the indirect contact reindeer did not become positive, a more direct route of transmission is likely in this case. Penning, feeding, and watering protocols were designed to prevent exposure of negative control and indirect contact reindeer to potential infectivity on feed and water buckets, bedding, or fencing (6,11). However, reindeer might have had access to bedding from adjacent pens that had spread into the central alleyway.

During the 5-year course of this study, reindeer were moved between pens several times to maintain an optimal number of animals per pen (Technical Appendix Figure 1). Prolonged persistence of prion infectivity in the natural environment has been documented for both CWD (2 years [5]) and scrapie (up to 16 years [12]). In addition, thorough cleaning and disinfection might not be sufficient to remove all infectivity from the environment, leading to persistence of infectivity under experimental housing conditions (13).

In reindeer challenged orally with the agent of CWD, the SS138 genotype (serine/serine at PRNPcodon 138) has been associated with susceptibility to disease and the NS138 (asparagine/serine) genotype with resistance (1). In the study we report, disease developed in reindeer with the NS138 genotype after intracranial inoculation, although the extent of lymphoreticular system involvement was significantly lower than in NN138 and SS138 reindeer. The potential association of the NN138 polymorphism with shorter survival times is interesting. However, as with all potential genotype versus phenotype interactions, care should be taken not to over-interpret these results given the small group sizes and the large number of PRNPgenotype groups in this study.

Our results demonstrate that reindeer are susceptible to the agent of CWD from white-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk sources after intracranial inoculation. Furthermore, naive reindeer are susceptible to the agent of CWD after direct and indirect exposure to CWD-infected reindeer, suggesting a high potential for horizontal transmission of CWD within and between farmed and free-ranging reindeer (and caribou) populations.



Rapid recontamination of a farm building occurs after attempted prion removal

First published: 19 January 2019 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105054

The data illustrates the difficulty in decontaminating farm buildings from scrapie, and demonstrates the likely contribution of farm dust to the recontamination of these environments to levels that are capable of causing disease.

snip...

This study clearly demonstrates the difficulty in removing scrapie infectivity from the farm environment. Practical and effective prion decontamination methods are still urgently required for decontamination of scrapie infectivity from farms that have had cases of scrapie and this is particularly relevant for scrapie positive goatherds, which currently have limited genetic resistance to scrapie within commercial breeds.24 This is very likely to have parallels with control efforts for CWD in cervids.


***>This is very likely to have parallels with control efforts for CWD in cervids.


Front. Vet. Sci., 14 September 2015 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2015.00032

Objects in contact with classical scrapie sheep act as a reservoir for scrapie transmission

In conclusion, the results in the current study indicate that removal of furniture that had been in contact with scrapie-infected animals should be recommended, particularly since cleaning and decontamination may not effectively remove scrapie infectivity (31), even though infectivity declines considerably if the pasture and the field furniture have not been in contact with scrapie-infected sheep for several months. As sPMCA failed to detect PrPSc in furniture that was subjected to weathering, even though exposure led to infection in sheep, this method may not always be reliable in predicting the risk of scrapie infection through environmental contamination.


In summary, CWD prions are efficiently transmitted to WTD via aerosolization using a delivered dose substantially lower than previously reported by the oral route. Our results provide further evidence that prions delivered to the nasal passages are sufficient to transmit CWD and allow the inference that aerosolization may facilitate the transmission of prions in general.


In summary, our results establish aerosols as a surprisingly efficient modality of prion transmission. This novel pathway of prion transmission is not only conceptually relevant for the field of prion research, but also highlights a hitherto unappreciated risk factor for laboratory personnel and personnel of the meat processing industry. In the light of these findings, it may be appropriate to revise current prion-related biosafety guidelines and health standards in diagnostic and scientific laboratories being potentially confronted with prion infected materials. While we did not investigate whether production of prion aerosols in nature suffices to cause horizontal prion transmission, the finding of prions in biological fluids such as saliva, urine and blood suggests that it may be worth testing this possibility in future studies.


"Additionally, we have determined that prion seeding activity is retained for at least fifteen years at a contaminated site following attempted remediation."

15 YEARS!

Detection of prions in soils contaminated by multiple routes

Results: We are able to detect prion seeding activity at multiple types of environmental hotspots, including carcass sites, contaminated captive facilities, and scrapes (i.e. urine and saliva). Differences in relative prion concentration vary depending on the nature and source of the contamination. Additionally, we have determined that prion seeding activity is retained for at least fifteen years at a contaminated site following attempted remediation.

Conclusions: Detection of prions in the environment is of the utmost importance for controlling chronic wasting disease spread. Here, we have demonstrated a viable method for detection of prions in complex environmental matrices. However, it is quite likely that this method underestimates the total infectious prion load in a contaminated sample, due to incomplete recovery of infectious prions. Further refinements are necessary for accurate quantification of prions in such samples, and to account for the intrinsic heterogeneities found in the broader environment.

Funded by: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Prion 2023 Abstracts


Artificial mineral sites that pre-date endemic chronic wasting disease become prion hotspots

The detection of PrPCWD in soils at attractant sites within an endemic CWD zone significantly advances our understanding of environmental PrPCWD accumulation dynamics, providing valuable information for advancing adaptive CWD management approaches.


Detection of chronic wasting disease prions in the farm soil of the Republic of Korea

Here, we show that prion seeding activity was detected in extracts from farm soil following 4 years of incubation with CWD-infected brain homogenate.


Chronic wasting disease detection in environmental and biological samples from a taxidermy site

Results: The PMCA analysis demonstrated CWD seeding activity in some of the components of this facility, including insects involved in head processing, soils, and a trash dumpster.

Conclusions: Different areas of this property were used for various taxidermy procedures. We were able to detect the presence of prions in i) soils that were in contact with the heads of dead animals, ii) insects involved in the cleaning of skulls, and iii) an empty dumpster where animal carcasses were previously placed. This is the first report demonstrating that swabbing is a helpful method to screen for prion infectivity on surfaces potentially contaminated with CWD. These findings are relevant as this swabbing and amplification strategy may be used to evaluate the disease status of other free-ranging and captive settings where there is a concern for CWD transmissions, such as at feeders and water troughs with CWD-exposed properties. This approach could have substantial implications for free-ranging cervid surveillance as well as in epidemiological investigations of CWD.

Prion 2022 Conference abstracts: pushing the boundaries



***> Infectious agent of sheep scrapie may persist in the environment for at least 16 years

***> Nine of these recurrences occurred 14–21 years after culling, apparently as the result of environmental contamination, but outside entry could not always be absolutely excluded.

JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY Volume 87, Issue 12

Infectious agent of sheep scrapie may persist in the environment for at least 16 years Free


Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion

THE CWD TSE Prion aka mad cow type disease is not your normal pathogen.

The TSE prion disease survives ashing to 600 degrees celsius, that’s around 1112 degrees farenheit.

you cannot cook the 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 TSE Prion agent will survive in the environment for years, if not decades.

you can bury it and it will not go away.

The 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

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


March 13, 2025

Prion Partitioning and Persistence in Environmental Waters


Prions in Waterways


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


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

BSE infectivity survives burial for five years with only limited spread


So, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?

Transmission of scrapie prions to primate after an extended silent incubation period

*** In complement to the recent demonstration that humanized mice are susceptible to scrapie, we report here the first observation of direct transmission of a natural classical scrapie isolate to a macaque after a 10-year incubation period. Neuropathologic examination revealed all of the features of a prion disease: spongiform change, neuronal loss, and accumulation of PrPres throughout the CNS.

*** This observation strengthens the questioning of the harmlessness of scrapie to humans, at a time when protective measures for human and animal health are being dismantled and reduced as c-BSE is considered controlled and being eradicated.

*** Our results underscore the importance of precautionary and protective measures and the necessity for long-term experimental transmission studies to assess the zoonotic potential of other animal prion strains.


***Transmission data also revealed that several scrapie prions propagate in HuPrP-Tg mice with efficiency comparable to that of cattle BSE. While the efficiency of transmission at primary passage was low, subsequent passages resulted in a highly virulent prion disease in both Met129 and Val129 mice.

***Transmission of the different scrapie isolates in these mice leads to the emergence of prion strain phenotypes that showed similar characteristics to those displayed by MM1 or VV2 sCJD prion.

***These results demonstrate that scrapie prions have a zoonotic potential and raise new questions about the possible link between animal and human prions.


***Moreover, sporadic disease has never been observed in breeding colonies or primate research laboratories, most notably among hundreds of animals over several decades of study at the National Institutes of Health25, and in nearly twenty older animals continuously housed in our own facility.***

***> Price of TSE Prion Poker goes up substantially, all you cattle ranchers and such, better pay close attention here...terry <***

Transmission of the chronic wasting disease agent from elk to cattle after oronasal exposure

Justin Greenlee, Jifeng Bian, Zoe Lambert, Alexis Frese, and Eric Cassmann Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA-ARS, Ames, IA, USA

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility of cattle to chronic wasting disease agent from elk.

Materials and Methods: Initial studies were conducted in bovinized mice using inoculum derived from elk with various genotypes at codon 132 (MM, LM, LL). Based upon attack rates, inoculum (10% w/v brain homogenate) from an LM132 elk was selected for transmission studies in cattle. At approximately 2 weeks of age, one wild type steer (EE211) and one steer with the E211K polymorphism (EK211) were fed 1 mL of brain homogenate in a quart of milk replacer while another 1 mL was instilled intranasally. The cattle were examined daily for clinical signs for the duration of the experiment. One steer is still under observation at 71 months post-inoculation (mpi).

Results: Inoculum derived from MM132 elk resulted in similar attack rates and incubation periods in mice expressing wild type or K211 bovine PRNP, 35% at 531 days post inoculation (dpi) and 27% at 448 dpi, respectively. Inoculum from LM132 elk had a slightly higher attack rates in mice: 45% (693 dpi) in wild type cattle PRNP and 33% (468) in K211 mice. Inoculum from LL132 elk resulted in the highest attack rate in wild type bovinized mice (53% at 625 dpi), but no K211 mice were affected at >700 days. At approximately 70 mpi, the EK211 genotype steer developed clinical signs suggestive of prion disease, depression, low head carriage, hypersalivation, and ataxia, and was necropsied. Enzyme immunoassay (IDEXX) was positive in brainstem (OD=4.00, but non-detect in retropharyngeal lymph nodes and palatine tonsil. Immunoreactivity was largely limited to the brainstem, midbrain, and cervical spinal cord with a pattern that was primarily glia-associated.

Conclusions: Cattle with the E211K polymorphism are susceptible to the CWD agent after oronasal exposure of 0.2 g of infectious material.

Funded by: This research was funded in its entirety by congressionally appropriated funds to the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. The funders of the work did not influence study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

"Cattle with the E211K polymorphism are susceptible to the CWD agent after oronasal exposure of 0.2 g of infectious material."

=====end

Strain characterization of chronic wasting disease in bovine-PrP transgenic mice

Nuria Jerez-Garrido1, Sara Canoyra1, Natalia Fernández-Borges1, Alba Marín Moreno1, Sylvie L. Benestad2, Olivier Andreoletti3, Gordon Mitchell4, Aru Balachandran4, Juan María Torres1 and Juan Carlos Espinosa1. 1 Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA-INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain. 2 Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ås, Norway. 3 UMR Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)/École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Toulouse, France. 4 Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Canada.

Aims: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an infectious prion disease that affects cervids. Various CWD prion strains have been identified in different cervid species from North America and Europe. The properties of the infectious prion strains are influenced by amino acid changes and polymorphisms in the PrP sequences of different cervid species. This study, aimed to assess the ability of a panel of CWD prion isolates from diverse cervid species from North America and Europe to infect bovine species, as well as to investigate the properties of the prion strains following the adaptation to the bovine-PrP context.

Materials and Methods: BoPrP-Tg110 mice overexpressing the bovine-PrP sequence were inoculated by intracranial route with a panel of CWD prion isolates from both North America (two white-tailed deer and two elk) and Europe (one reindeer, one moose and one red deer).

Results: Our results show distinct behaviours in the transmission of the CWD isolates to the BoPrP-Tg110 mouse model. Some of these isolates did not transmit even after the second passage. Those able to transmit displayed differences in terms of attack rate, survival times, biochemical properties of brain PrPres, and histopathology.

Conclusions: Altogether, these results exhibit the diversity of CWD strains present in the panel of CWD isolates and the ability of at least some CWD isolates to infect bovine species. Cattle being one of the most important farming species, this ability represents a potential threat to both animal and human health, and consequently deserves further study.

Funded by: MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by European Union NextGeneration EU/PRTR

Grant number: PCI2020-120680-2 ICRAD

"Altogether, these results exhibit the diversity of CWD strains present in the panel of CWD isolates and the ability of at least some CWD isolates to infect bovine species. Cattle being one of the most important farming species, this ability represents a potential threat to both animal and human health, and consequently deserves further study."

=====end


MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

Transmission of the chronic wasting disease agent from elk to cattle after oronasal exposure

Price of TSE Prion Poker goes up substantially, all you cattle ranchers and such, better pay close attention here...


PRION 2023 CONTINUED;


Monday, November 13, 2023

Food and Drug Administration's BSE Feed Regulation (21 CFR 589.2000) Singeltary Another Request for Update 2023


NOW, BE AWARE, OIE AND USDA HAVE NOW MADE ATYPICAL SCRAPIE AND ATYPICAL BSE A LEGAL TRADING COMMODITY, WITH NO REPORTING OF SAID ATYPICAL CASES, EXCEPT FOR A VOLUNTARY NOTE ON ANNUAL REPORT...i don't make this stuff up...terry

cwd scrapie pigs oral routes

***> However, at 51 months of incubation or greater, 5 animals were positive by one or more diagnostic methods. Furthermore, positive bioassay results were obtained from all inoculated groups (oral and intracranial; market weight and end of study) suggesting that swine are potential hosts for the agent of scrapie. <***

*** Although the current U.S. feed ban is based on keeping tissues from TSE infected cattle from contaminating animal feed, swine rations in the U.S. could contain animal derived components including materials from scrapie infected sheep and goats. These results indicating the susceptibility of pigs to sheep scrapie, coupled with the limitations of the current feed ban, indicates that a revision of the feed ban may be necessary to protect swine production and potentially human health. <***

***> Results: PrPSc was not detected by EIA and IHC in any RPLNs. All tonsils and MLNs were negative by IHC, though the MLN from one pig in the oral <6 month group was positive by EIA. PrPSc was detected by QuIC in at least one of the lymphoid tissues examined in 5/6 pigs in the intracranial <6 months group, 6/7 intracranial >6 months group, 5/6 pigs in the oral <6 months group, and 4/6 oral >6 months group. Overall, the MLN was positive in 14/19 (74%) of samples examined, the RPLN in 8/18(44%), and the tonsil in 10/25 (40%).

***> Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PrPSc accumulates in lymphoid tissues from pigs challenged intracranially or orally with the CWD agent, and can be detected as early as 4 months after challenge. CWD-infected pigs rarely develop clinical disease and if they do, they do so after a long incubation period. This raises the possibility that CWD-infected pigs could shed prions into their environment long before they develop clinical disease. Furthermore, lymphoid tissues from CWD-infected pigs could present a potential source of CWD infectivity in the animal and human food chains.




Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PrPSc accumulates in lymphoid tissues from pigs challenged intracranially or orally with the CWD agent, and can be detected as early as 4 months after challenge. CWD-infected pigs rarely develop clinical disease and if they do, they do so after a long incubation period. This raises the possibility that CWD-infected pigs could shed prions into their environment long before they develop clinical disease. Furthermore, lymphoid tissues from CWD-infected pigs could present a potential source of CWD infectivity in the animal and human food chains.


Front. Vet. Sci., 14 September 2015 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2015.00032

Objects in contact with classical scrapie sheep act as a reservoir for scrapie transmission

In conclusion, the results in the current study indicate that removal of furniture that had been in contact with scrapie-infected animals should be recommended, particularly since cleaning and decontamination may not effectively remove scrapie infectivity (31), even though infectivity declines considerably if the pasture and the field furniture have not been in contact with scrapie-infected sheep for several months. As sPMCA failed to detect PrPSc in furniture that was subjected to weathering, even though exposure led to infection in sheep, this method may not always be reliable in predicting the risk of scrapie infection through environmental contamination.


172. Establishment of PrPCWD extraction and detection methods in the farm soil

Conclusions: Our studies showed that PrPCWD persist in 0.001% CWD contaminated soil for at least 4 year and natural CWD-affected farm soil. When cervid reintroduced into CWD outbreak farm, the strict decontamination procedures of the infectious agent should be performed in the environment of CWD-affected cervid habitat.


Plants as vectors for environmental prion transmission

Published: November 09, 2023DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.108428

Advertisement Highlights

• Abnormal prion protein can enter the roots of plants

• Plants can translocate detectable levels of prions to aerial tissues

•Animals exposed to prion-contaminated plant tissues can acquire disease

•Contaminated plants may represent a route of prion exposure

Snip…

Nonetheless, our finding of accumulation of two prion strains by a variety of plants grown hydroponically, in agar, or on soil supports the potential for plants to acquire CWD, scrapie, or other prions from the environment and transmit prion disease to susceptible hosts, making plants a plausible vector for prion diseases in wildlife, livestock, and humans. The potential for plants to serve as vectors for prion disease has implications for the disposal of infected carcasses, grazing practices, and the use and transport of potentially contaminated crop materials.



Carrot plants as potential vectors for CWD transmission.

The PMCA analysis demonstrated CWD seeding activity in soils contaminated with CWD prions and in carrot plants (leaves and roots) grown on them. Bioassays showed that both plants and roots contained CWD prions sufficiently to induce disease. As expected, animals treated with prion-infected soils developed prion disease at shorter incubation periods (and complete attack rates) compared to plant components. We show that edible plant components can absorb prions from CWD-contaminated soils and transport them to their aerial parts. Our results indicate that edible plants could participate as vectors of CWD transmission.


“In addition, hay and straw from the United States and Canada must be accompanied by a certificate from a public veterinarian that the product has been harvested in states or provinces where Chronic Wasting Disease has not been detected on deer.”

Regulation No. 1599 of 2018 on additional requirements for the import of hay and straw for used for animal feed.

Country Norway

Type of law Regulation

Source

FAO , FAOLEX

In addition, hay and straw from the United States and Canada must be accompanied by a certificate from a public veterinarian that the product has been harvested in states or provinces where Chronic Wasting Disease has not been detected on deer.


Friday, February 21, 2025

CWD, BAITING, AND MINERAL LICKS, WHAT IF?


Friday, February 21, 2025

Deer don’t die from CWD, it’s the insurance companies, or it's a Government conspiracy?


Friday, February 21, 2025

LEGISLATING CWD TSE Prion, Bills to release Genetically Modified Cervid into the wild, what could go wrong?


CWD TSE Prion Zoonosis ?

First, let’s go way back, then to date, about Cwd and cjd risk factors (I don’t make this stuff up).

regular venison eating associated with a 9 FOLD INCREASE IN RISK OF CJD

Subject: Re: DEER SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY SURVEY & HOUND STUDY

Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 23:12:22 +0100

From: Steve Dealler

Reply-To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Organization: Netscape Online member

To: BSE-L@ …

######## Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy <BSE-L@UNI-KARLSRUHE.DE> #########

Dear Terry,

An excellent piece of review as this literature is desparately difficult to get back from Government sites.

What happened with the deer was that an association between deer meat eating and sporadic CJD was found in about 1993. The evidence was not great but did not disappear after several years of asking CJD cases what they had eaten. I think that the work into deer disease largely stopped because it was not helpful to the UK industry...and no specific cases were reported.

Well, if you dont look adequately like they are in USA currenly then you wont find any!

Steve Dealler

########### http://mailhost.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/warc/bse-l.html ############

Subject: DEER SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY SURVEY & HOUND STUDY

From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr." <flounder@WT.NET>

Reply To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy <BSE-L@UNI-KARLSRUHE.DE>

Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 17:04:51 -0700

snip...

''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).''

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 ;




Stephen Dealler is a consultant medical microbiologist deal@airtime.co.uk

BSE Inquiry Steve Dealler

Management In Confidence

BSE: Private Submission of Bovine Brain Dealler

snip...end

########### http://mailhost.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/warc/bse-l.html ############

BSE INQUIRY

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.


TSE in wild UK deer? The first case of BSE (as we now realise) was in a nyala in London zoo and the further zoo cases in ungulates were simply thought of as being interesting transmissions of scrapie initially. The big problem started to appear with animals in 1993-5 when it became clear that there was an increase in the CJD cases in people that had eaten deer although the statistics involved must have been questionable. The reason for this was that the CJD Surveillance was well funded to look into the diet of people dying of CJD. This effect is not clear with vCJD...if only because the numbers involved are much smaller and hence it is difficult to gain enough statistics. They found that many other foods did not appear to have much association at all but that deer certainly did and as years went by the association actually became clearer. The appearance of vCJD in 1996 made all this much more difficult in that it was suddenly clearer that the cases of sporadic CJD that they had been checking up until then probably had nothing to do with beef...and the study decreased. During the period there was an increasing worry that deer were involved with CJD..

see references:

DEER BRAIN SURVEY


CONFIDENTIAL AND IN CONFIDENCE TRANSMISSION TO CHIMPANZEES AND PIGS

IN CONFIDENCE

TRANSMISSION TO CHIMPANZEES

Kuru and CJD have been successfully transmitted to chimpanzees but scrapie and TME have not.

We cannot say that scrapie will not transmit to chimpanzees. There are several scrapie strains and I am not aware that all have been tried (that would have to be from mouse passaged material). Nor has a wide enough range of field isolates subsequently strain typed in mice been inoculated by the appropriate routes (i/c, i/p and i/v).

I believe the proposed experiment to determine transmissibility, if conducted, would only show the susceptibility or resistance of the chimpanzee to infection/disease by the routes used and the result could not be interpreted for the predictability of the susceptibility for man. proposals for prolonged oral exposure of chimpanzees to milk from cattle were suggested a long while ago and rejected.

In view of Dr Gibbs' probable use of chimpazees Mr Wells' comments (enclosed) are pertinent. I have yet to receive a direct communication from Dr Schellekers but before any collaboration or provision of material we should identify the Gibbs' proposals and objectives.

A positive result from a chimpanzee challenged severely would likely create alarm in some circles even if the result could not be interpreted for man. I have a view that all these agents could be transmitted provided a large enough dose by appropriate routes was given and the animals kept long enough. Until the mechanisms of the species barrier are more clearly understood it might be best to retain that hypothesis.

A negative result would take a lifetime to determine but that would be a shorter period than might be available for human exposure and it would still not answer the question regarding mans ‘susceptibility. In the meantime no doubt the negativity would be used defensively. It would however be counterproductive if the experiment finally became positive. We may learn more about public reactions following next Monday's meeting.

R Bradley

CVO (+ Mr Wells’ commenters 23 September 1990 Dr T W A Little Dr B J Shreeve

90/9.23/1.1


*** now, let’s see what the authors said about this casual link, personal communications years ago, and then the latest on the zoonotic potential from CWD to humans from the TOKYO PRION 2016 CONFERENCE.

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 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 ;


However, to date, no CWD infections have been reported in people.

sporadic, spontaneous CJD, 85%+ of all human TSE, did not just happen. never in scientific literature has this been proven. if one looks up the word sporadic or spontaneous at pubmed, you will get a laundry list of disease that are classified in such a way;

sporadic = 54,983 hits


spontaneous = 325,650 hits


key word here is 'reported'. science has shown that CWD in humans will look like sporadic CJD.

SO, how can one assume that CWD has not already transmitted to humans? they can't, and it's as simple as that. from all recorded science to date, CWD has already transmitted to humans, and it's being misdiagnosed as sporadic CJD. ...terry

*** LOOKING FOR CWD IN HUMANS AS nvCJD or as an ATYPICAL CJD, LOOKING IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES $$$ ***

However, to date, no CWD infections have been reported in people. key word here is ‘reported’. science has shown that CWD in humans will look like sporadic CJD. SO, how can one assume that CWD has not already transmitted to humans? they can’t, and it’s as simple as that. from all recorded science to date, CWD has already transmitted to humans, and it’s being misdiagnosed as sporadic CJD. …terry

*** LOOKING FOR CWD IN HUMANS AS nvCJD or as an ATYPICAL CJD, LOOKING IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES $$$ ***

*** These results would seem to suggest that CWD does indeed have zoonotic potential, at least as judged by the compatibility of CWD prions and their human PrPC target. Furthermore, extrapolation from this simple in vitro assay suggests that if zoonotic CWD occurred, it would most likely effect those of the PRNP codon 129-MM genotype and that the PrPres type would be similar to that found in the most common subtype of sCJD (MM1).***




So, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?

CDC CWD TSE Prion Update 2025

KEY POINTS

Chronic wasting disease affects deer, elk and similar animals in the United States and a few other countries.

The disease hasn't been shown to infect people.

However, it might be a risk to people if they have contact with or eat meat from animals infected with CWD.


Volume 31, Number 4—April 2025

Research

Detection and Decontamination of Chronic Wasting Disease Prions during Venison Processing


Prions in Muscles of Cervids with Chronic Wasting Disease, Norway

Volume 31, Number 2—February 2025

Research

Prions in Muscles of Cervids with Chronic Wasting Disease, Norway

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In summary, the results of our study indicate that prions are widely distributed in peripheral and edible tissues of cervids in Norway, including muscles. This finding highlights the risk of human exposure to small amounts of prions through handling and consuming infected cervids. Nevertheless, we note that this study did not investigate the zoonotic potential of the Norway CWD prions. In North America, humans have historically consumed meat from CWD-infected animals, which has been documented to harbor prions (35,44–47). Despite the potential exposure to prions, no epidemiologic evidence indicates a correlation between the occurrence of CWD cases in animals and the prevalence of human prion diseases (48). A recent bioassay study reported no transmissions from 3 Nordic isolates into transgenic mice expressing human PrP (49). Therefore, our findings should be interpreted with caution in terms of human health implications, and further research is required to determine the zoonotic potential of these CWD strains.

The presence of prions in peripheral tissues indicates that CWD may have a systemic nature in all Norwegian cervid species, challenging the view that prions are exclusively localized in the CNS in sporadic CWD of moose and red deer. Our findings expand the notion of just how widely distributed prions can be in cervids affected with CWD and call into question the capability of emerging CWD strains in terms of infectivity to other species, including humans.

Appendix



Volume 31, Number 2—February 2025

Dispatch

Detection of Chronic Wasting Disease Prions in Raw, Processed, and Cooked Elk Meat, Texas, USA

Rebeca Benavente, Fraser Brydon, Francisca Bravo-Risi, Paulina Soto, J. Hunter Reed, Mitch Lockwood, Glenn Telling, Marcelo A. Barria, and Rodrigo MoralesComments to Author

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CWD prions have been detected in the muscle of both farmed and wild deer (10), and at concentrations relevant to sustain disease transmission (11). CWD prions have also been identified across several cervid species and in multiple tissues, including lymph nodes, spleen, tongue, intestines, adrenal gland, eyes, reproductive tissues, ears, lungs, and liver, among others (12–14). Those findings raise concerns about the safety of ingesting processed meats that contain tissues other than skeletal muscle (15) (Appendix). https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/2/24-0906-app1.pdf .

In addition, those findings highlight the need for continued vigilance and research on the transmission risks of prion diseases and for development of new preventative and detection measures to ensure the safety of the human food supply.

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Overall, our study results confirm previous reports describing the presence of CWD prions in elk muscles (13). The data also demonstrated CWD prion persistence in food products even after processing through different procedures, including the addition of salts, spices, and other edible elements. Of note, our data show that exposure to high temperatures used to cook the meat increased the availability of prions for in vitro amplification. Considering the potential implications in food safety and public health, we believe that the findings described in this study warrant further research. Our results suggest that although the elk meat used in this study resisted different manipulations involved in subsequent consumption by humans, their zoonotic potential was limited. Nevertheless, even though no cases of CWD transmission to human have been reported, the potential for human infection is still unclear and continued monitoring for zoonotic potential is warranted.


Volume 31, Number 1—January 2025

Dispatch

Detection of Prions in Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) from Areas with Reported Chronic Wasting Disease Cases, United States

Abstract

Using a prion amplification assay, we identified prions in tissues from wild pigs (Sus scrofa) living in areas of the United States with variable chronic wasting disease (CWD) epidemiology. Our findings indicate that scavenging swine could play a role in disseminating CWD and could therefore influence its epidemiology, geographic distribution, and interspecies spread.

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Conclusions In summary, results from this study showed that wild pigs are exposed to cervid prions, although the pigs seem to display some resistance to infection via natural exposure. Future studies should address the susceptibility of this invasive animal species to the multiple prion strains circulating in the environment. Nonetheless, identification of CWD prions in wild pig tissues indicated the potential for pigs to move prions across the landscape, which may, in turn, influence the epidemiology and geographic spread of CWD.


Detection of chronic wasting disease prions in processed meats

Rebeca Benavente1 , Francisca Bravo1,2, J. Hunter Reed3 , Mitch Lockwood3 , Glenn Telling4 , Rodrigo Morales1,2 1 Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA; 2 Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins. Santiago, Chile; 3 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas, USA. 4 Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA

Aims: identify the presence of CWD prions in processed meats derived from elk.

Materials and Methods: In this study, we analyzed different processed meats derived from a CWD-positive (pre-clinical) free-ranging elk. Products tested included filets, sausages, boneless steaks, burgers, seasoned chili meats, and spiced meats. The presence of CWD-prions in these samples were assessed by PMCA using deer and elk substrates. The same analyses were performed in grilled and boiled meats to evaluate the resistance of the infectious agent to these procedures.

Results: Our results show positive prion detection in all the samples analyzed using deer and elk substrates. Surprisingly, cooked meats displayed increased seeding activities. This data suggests that CWD-prions are available to people even after meats are processed and cooked.

Conclusions: These results suggest CWD prions are accessible to humans through meats, even after processing and cooking. Considering the fact that these samples were collected from already processed specimens, the availability of CWD prions to humans is probably underestimated.

Funded by: NIH and USDA

Grant number: 1R01AI132695 and APP-20115 to RM

Acknowledgement: We would like to thank TPWD personnel for providing us with valuable samples

"Our results show positive prion detection in all the samples analyzed using deer and elk substrates. Surprisingly, cooked meats displayed increased seeding activities."

end...

PRION 2023 CONTINUED;


The detection and decontamination of chronic wasting disease prions during venison processing

Aims: There is a growing concern that chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions in venison pose a risk to human health. CWD prions accumulate in infected deer tissues that commonly enter the human food chain through meat processing and consumption. The United States (US) Food and Drug Administration and US Department of Agriculture now formally consider CWD-positive venison unfit for human and animal consumption. Yet, the degree to which prion contamination occurs during routine venison processing is unknown. Here, we use environmental surface swab methods to:

a) experimentally test meat processing equipment (i.e., stainless steel knives and polyethylene cutting boards) before and after processing CWD-positive venison and

b) test the efficacy of five different disinfectant types (i.e., Dawn dish soap, Virkon-S, Briotech, 10% bleach, and 40% bleach) to determine prion decontamination efficacy.

Materials and Methods: We used a real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay to determine CWD infection status of venison and to detect CWD prions in the swabs. We collected three swabs per surface and ran eight technical replicates on RT-QuIC.

Results: CWD prions were detected on all cutting boards (n= 3; replicates= 8/8, 8/8, 8/8 and knives (n= 3; replicates= 8/8, 8/8, 8/8) used in processing CWD-positive venison, but not on those used for CWD-negative venison. After processing CWD-positive venison, allowing the surfaces to dry, and washing the cutting board with Dawn dish soap, we detected CWD prions on the cutting board surface (n= 3; replicates= 8/8, 8/8, 8/8) but not on the knife (n= 3, replicates = 0/8, 0/8, 0/8). Similar patterns were observed with Briotech (cutting board: n= 3; replicates= 7/8, 1/8, 0/8; knife: n= 3; replicates = 0/8, 0/8, 0/8). We did not detect CWD prions on the knives or cutting boards after disinfecting with Virkon-S, 10% bleach, and 40% bleach.

Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that Dawn dish soap and Briotech do not reliably decontaminate CWD prions from these surfaces. Our data suggest that Virkon-S and various bleach concentrations are more effective in reducing prion contamination of meat processing surfaces; however, surface type may also influence the ability of prions to adsorb to surfaces, preventing complete decontamination. Our results will directly inform best practices to prevent the introduction of CWD prions into the human food chain during venison processing.

Prion 2023 Abstracts


DETECTION OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE PRIONS IN PROCESSED MEATS.

Abstract

The zoonotic potential of chronic wasting disease (CWD) remains unknown. Currently, there are no known natural cases of CWD transmission to humans but increasing evidence suggests that the host range of CWD is not confined only to cervid species. Alarmingly, recent experimental evidence suggests that certain CWD isolates can induce disease in non-human primates. While the CDC strongly recommends determining CWD status in animals prior to consumption, this practice is voluntary. Consequently, it is plausible that a proportion of the cervid meat entering the human food chain may be contaminated with CWD. Of additional concern is that traditional diagnostic techniques used to detect CWD have relatively low sensitivity and are only approved for use in tissues other than those typically ingested by humans. In this study, we analyzed different processed meats derived from a pre-clinical, CWD-positive free-ranging elk. Products tested included filets, sausages, boneless steaks, burgers, ham steaks, seasoned chili meats, and spiced meats. CWD-prion presence in these products were assessed by PMCA using deer and elk substrates. Our results show positive prion detection in all products. To confirm the resilience of CWD-prions to traditional cooking methods, we grilled and boiled the meat products and evaluated them for any remnant PMCA seeding activity. Results confirmed the presence of CWD-prions in these meat products suggesting that infectious particles may still be available to people even after cooking. Our results strongly suggest ongoing human exposure to CWD-prions and raise significant concerns of zoonotic transmission through ingestion of CWD contaminated meat products.

***> Products tested included filets, sausages, boneless steaks, burgers, ham steaks, seasoned chili meats, and spiced meats.

***> CWD-prion presence in these products were assessed by PMCA using deer and elk substrates.

***> Our results show positive prion detection in all products.

***> Results confirmed the presence of CWD-prions in these meat products suggesting that infectious particles may still be available to people even after cooking.

***> Our results strongly suggest ongoing human exposure to CWD-prions and raise significant concerns of zoonotic transmission through ingestion of CWD contaminated meat products.


Transmission of prion infectivity from CWD-infected macaque tissues to rodent models demonstrates the zoonotic potential of chronic wasting disease.

Samia Hannaoui1,2, Ginny Cheng1,2, Wiebke Wemheuer3, Walter Schulz-Schaeffer3, Sabine Gilch1,2, Hermann Schatzl1,2 1University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. 2Calgary Prion Research Unit, Calgary, Canada. 3Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany

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***> Further passage to cervidized mice revealed transmission with a 100% attack rate.

***> Our findings demonstrate that macaques, considered the best model for the zoonotic potential of prions, were infected upon CWD challenge, including the oral one.

****> The disease manifested as atypical in macaques and initial transgenic mouse transmissions, but with infectivity present at all times, as unveiled in the bank vole model with an unusual tissue tropism.

***> Epidemiologic surveillance of prion disease among cervid hunters and people likely to have consumed venison contaminated with chronic wasting disease

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Transmission of Cervid Prions to Humanized Mice Demonstrates the Zoonotic Potential of CWD

Samia Hannaouia, Irina Zemlyankinaa, Sheng Chun Changa, Maria Immaculata Arifina, Vincent Béringueb, Debbie McKenziec, Hermann M. Schatzla, and Sabine Gilcha

Results: Here, we provide the strongest evidence supporting the zoonotic potential of CWD prions, and their possible phenotype in humans. Inoculation of mice expressing human PrPCwith deer CWD isolates (strains Wisc-1 and 116AG) resulted in atypical clinical manifestations in > 75% of the mice, with myoclonus as leading clinical sign. Most of tg650brain homogenates were positive for seeding activity in RT-QuIC. Clinical disease and presentation was transmissible to tg650 mice and bank voles. Intriguingly, protease-resistant PrP in the brain of tg650 mice resembled that found in a familial human prion disease and was transmissible upon passage. Abnormal PrP aggregates upon infection with Wisc-1 were detectable in thalamus, hypothalamus, and midbrain/pons regions.

Unprecedented in human prion disease, feces of CWD-inoculated tg650 mice harbored prion seeding activity and infectious prions, as shown by inoculation of bank voles and tg650 with fecal homogenates.

Conclusions: This is the first evidence that CWD can infect humans and cause disease with a distinctive clinical presentation, signature, and tropism, which might be transmissible between humans while current diagnostic assays might fail to detect it. These findings have major implications for public health and CWD-management.


The finding that infectious PrPSc was shed in fecal material of CWD-infected humanized mice and induced clinical disease, different tropism, and typical three banding pattern-PrPres in bank voles that is transmissible upon second passage is highly concerning for public health. The fact that this biochemical signature in bank voles resembles that of the Wisc-1 original deer isolate and is different from that of bvWisc-1, in the migration profile and the glyco-form-ratio, is valid evidence that these results are not a product of contamination in our study. If CWD in humans is found to be contagious and transmissible among humans, as it is in cervids [57], the spread of the disease within humans might become endemic.

Transmission of cervid prions to humanized mice demonstrates the zoonotic potential of CWD

Acta Neuropathol 144, 767–784 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-022-02482-9

Published

22 August 2022


Fortuitous generation of a zoonotic cervid prion strain

Aims: Whether CWD prions can infect humans remains unclear despite the very substantial scale and long history of human exposure of CWD in many states or provinces of USA and Canada. Multiple in vitro conversion experiments and in vivo animal studies indicate that the CWD-to-human transmission barrier is not unbreakable. A major long-term public health concern on CWD zoonosis is the emergence of highly zoonotic CWD strains. We aim to address the question of whether highly zoonotic CWD strains are possible.

Materials and Methods: We inoculated several sCJD brain samples into cervidized transgenic mice (Tg12), which were intended as negative controls for bioassays of brain tissues from sCJD cases who had potentially been exposed to CWD. Some of the Tg12 mice became infected and their brain tissues were further examined by Western blot as well as serial passages in humanized or cervidized mice.

Results: Passage of sCJDMM1 in transgenic mice expressing elk PrP (Tg12) resulted in a “cervidized” CJD strain that we termed CJDElkPrP. We observed 100% transmission of the original CJDElkPrP in transgenic mice expressing human PrP. We passaged CJDElkPrP two more times in the Tg12 mice. We found that such second and third passage CJDElkPrP prions retained 100% transmission rate in the humanized mice, despite that the natural elk CWD isolates and CJDElkPrP share the same elk PrP sequence. In contrast, we and others found zero or poor transmission of natural elk CWD isolates in humanized mice.

Conclusions: Our data indicate that highly zoonotic cervid prion strains are not only possible but also can retain zoonotic potential after serial passages in cervids, suggesting a very significant and serious long-term risk of CWD zoonosis given that the broad and continuing spread of CWD prions will provide fertile grounds for the emergence of zoonotic CWD strains over time.


The finding that infectious PrPSc was shed in fecal material of CWD-infected humanized mice and induced clinical disease, different tropism, and typical three banding pattern-PrPres in bank voles that is transmissible upon second passage is highly concerning for public health. The fact that this biochemical signature in bank voles resembles that of the Wisc-1 original deer isolate and is different from that of bvWisc-1, in the migration profile and the glyco-form-ratio, is valid evidence that these results are not a product of contamination in our study. If CWD in humans is found to be contagious and transmissible among humans, as it is in cervids [57], the spread of the disease within humans might become endemic.

Transmission of cervid prions to humanized mice demonstrates the zoonotic potential of CWD

Acta Neuropathol 144, 767–784 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-022-02482-9

Published

22 August 2022

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00401-022-02482-9

Transmission of cervid prions to humanized mice demonstrates the zoonotic potential of CWD

Samia Hannaoui1 · Irina Zemlyankina1 · Sheng Chun Chang1 · Maria Immaculata Arifn1 · Vincent Béringue2 · Debbie McKenzie3 · Hermann M. Schatzl1 · Sabine Gilch1

Received: 24 May 2022 / Revised: 5 August 2022 / Accepted: 7 August 2022

© The Author(s) 2022

Abstract

Prions cause infectious and fatal neurodegenerative diseases in mammals. Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disease of cervids, spreads efficiently among wild and farmed animals. Potential transmission to humans of CWD is a growing concern due to its increasing prevalence. Here, we provide evidence for a zoonotic potential of CWD prions, and its probable signature using mice expressing human prion protein (PrP) as an infection model. Inoculation of these mice with deer CWD isolates resulted in atypical clinical manifestation with prion seeding activity and efficient transmissible infectivity in the brain and, remarkably, in feces, but without classical neuropathological or Western blot appearances of prion diseases. Intriguingly, the protease-resistant PrP in the brain resembled that found in a familial human prion disease and was transmissible upon second passage. Our results suggest that CWD might infect humans, although the transmission barrier is likely higher compared to zoonotic transmission of cattle prions. Notably, our data suggest a different clinical presentation, prion signature, and tissue tropism, which causes challenges for detection by current diagnostic assays. Furthermore, the presence of infectious prions in feces is concerning because if this occurs in humans, it is a source for human-to-human transmission. These findings have strong implications for public health and CWD management.

Keywords Chronic wasting disease · CWD · Zoonotic potential · Prion strains · Zoonotic prions

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS STUDY

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Our results suggest that CWD might infect humans, although the transmission barrier is likely higher compared to zoonotic transmission of cattle prions. Notably, our data suggest a different clinical presentation, prion signature, and tissue tropism, which causes challenges for detection by current diagnostic assays. Furthermore, the presence of infectious prions in feces is concerning because if this occurs in humans, it is a source for human-to-human transmission. These findings have strong implications for public health and CWD management.

In this study, we evaluated the zoonotic potential of CWD using a transgenic mouse model overexpressing human M129-PrPC (tg650 [12]). We inoculated tg650 mice intracerebrally with two deer CWD isolates, Wisc-1 and 116AG [22, 23, 27, 29]. We demonstrate that this transgenic line was susceptible to infection with CWD prions and displayed a distinct leading clinical sign, an atypical PrPSc signature and unusual fecal shedding of infectious prions. Importantly, these prions generated by the human PrP transgenic mice were transmissible upon passage. Our results are the first evidence of a zoonotic risk of CWD when using one of the most common CWD strains, Wisc-1/CWD1 for infection. We demonstrated in a human transgenic mouse model that the species barrier for transmission of CWD to humans is not absolute. The fact that its signature was not typical raises the questions whether CWD would manifest in humans as a subclinical infection, whether it would arise through direct or indirect transmission including an intermediate host, or a silent to uncovered human-to-human transmission, and whether current detection techniques will be suffcient to unveil its presence.

Our findings strongly suggest that CWD should be regarded as an actual public health risk. Here, we use humanized mice to show that CWD prions can cross the species barrier to humans, and remarkably, infectious prions can be excreted in feces.

Our results indicate that if CWD crosses the species-barrier to humans, it is unlikely to resemble the most common forms of human prion diseases with respect to clinical signs, tissue tropism and PrPSc signature. For instance, PrPSc in variable protease-sensitive prionopathy (VPSPr), a sporadic form of human prion disease, and in the genetic form Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS) is defined by an atypical PK-resistant PrPSc fragment that is non-glycosylated and truncated at both C- and N-termini, with a molecular weight between 6 and 8 kDa [24, 44–46]. These biochemical features are unique and distinctive from PrPSc (PrP27-30) found in most other human or animal prion disease. The atypical PrPSc signature detected in brain homogenate of tg650 mice #321 (1st passage) and #3063 (2nd passage), and the 7–8 kDa fragment (Figs. 2, 4) are very similar to that of GSS, both in terms of migration profile and the N-terminal cleavage site.

CWD in humans might remain subclinical but with PrPSc deposits in the brain with an unusual morphology that does not resemble the patterns usually seen in different prion diseases (e.g., mouse #328; Fig. 3), clinical with untraceable abnormal PrP (e.g., mouse #327) but still transmissible and uncovered upon subsequent passage (e.g., mouse #3063; Fig. 4), or prions have other reservoirs than the usual ones, hence the presence of infectivity in feces (e.g., mouse #327) suggesting a potential for human-to-human transmission and a real iatrogenic risk that might be unrecognizable.

“suggesting a potential for human-to-human transmission and a real iatrogenic risk that might be unrecognizable.”

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Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at


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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) Antonia Ricci Ana Allende Declan Bolton Marianne Chemaly Robert Davies Pablo Salvador Fernández Escámez ...

First published: 17 January 2018 https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5132

also, see;

8. Even though human TSE‐exposure risk through consumption of game from European cervids can be assumed to be minor, if at all existing, no final conclusion can be drawn due to the overall lack of scientific data.

***> In particular the US data do not clearly exclude the possibility of human (sporadic or familial) TSE development due to consumption of venison.

The Working Group thus recognizes a potential risk to consumers if a TSE would be present in European cervids. It might be prudent considering appropriate measures to reduce such a risk, e.g. excluding tissues such as CNS and lymphoid tissues from the human food chain, which would greatly reduce any potential risk for consumers.. However, it is stressed that currently, no data regarding a risk of TSE infections from cervid products are available.


So, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?

***> Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease CJD TSE Prion Cases Increasing March 2025


***> Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease CJD, BSE, CWD, TSE, Prion, December 14, 2024 Annual Update


So, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?

Terry S. Singeltary Sr.

posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at 3:33 PM 0 Comments