TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION AGENCY STRATEGIC PLAN FISCAL YEARS 2025 - 2029 CWD TSE Prion
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Redundancies and Impediments Chronic Wasting Disease Management Service, Statute, Rule or Regulation
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management for native CWD susceptible species is shared between Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) and TAHC.
Under Texas Agriculture Code Sec. 161.041, TAHC is empowered to protect all livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl from diseases the commission determines require control or eradication. The commission may act to eradicate or control any disease or agent of transmission for any disease that affects livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl, regardless of whether the disease is communicable, even if the agent of transmission is an animal species that is not subject to the jurisdiction of the commission.
Understanding the potential for overlapping jurisdiction for some animal species, the legislature enacted subsection 161.041 (f) which specifically states “In complying with this section, the commission may not infringe on or supersede the authority of any other agency of this state, including the authority of the Parks and Wildlife Department relating to wildlife. If a conflict of authority occurs, the commission shall assume responsibility for disease control efforts, but work collaboratively with the other agency to enable each agency to effectively carry out its responsibilities.”
Describe why the Service, Statute, Rule or Regulation is Resulting in Inefficient or Ineffective Agency Operations
; TAHC and TPWD currently work together to manage CWD positive incidents in captive white-tailed deer and mule deer herds in Texas and develop statewide strategies on disease management to prevent the spread of CWD.
TAHC is responsible for managing exotic CWD susceptible species, such as black-tailed deer, North American elk or wapiti, red deer, sika deer, moose, reindeer, caribou, and any associated subspecies and hybrids.
As incidents of CWD have increased dramatically in captive native deer, TAHC has struggled with the timely administration of epidemiological traces, quarantine management, and disease assessment for these native herds due to insufficient resources and personnel. The ever increasing administrative and field resource demands related to CWD management have prevented TAHC from effectively carrying out its responsibilities regarding disease management and diverted resources from its other livestock disease response and mitigation responsibilities.
TAHC is also responsible for the Texas’ CWD Herd Certification Strategic Plan FY 2025-2029 Page 10Program for CWD susceptible cervids, including managing herds of native species. The CWD Herd Certification Program is a federal program administered by USDA that requires participating states to meet disease management standards for CWD to allow for movement of CWD susceptible species in interstate commerce. Most of the participants in this program manage native deer species under permits from TPWD. For TAHC to gather information to administer the program for these native deer herds, TAHC utilizes information contained in TPWD’s database (TWIMS). All TPWD permitted native deer facilities are required to use TWIMS to track movements and testing requirements.
The current dual-agency management of CWD in native species generates regulatory inefficiencies, creates confusion for members of the public, and is preventing both agencies from effectively fulfilling their responsibilities. Both agencies have struggled to provide a high level of customer service to regulated members of the public because of this structure.
The collaborative efforts of TPWD and TAHC are overshadowed by these inefficiencies.
Provide Agency Recommendation for Modification or Elimination
Provide necessary statutory authority to allow TPWD to have authority over CWD management for native species and empower TPWD to manage CWD Herd Certification Program for native species. TPWD is already charged with protecting Texas’ native animal populations and employs biologists and veterinarians who have the skills and abilities needed to develop disease management strategies for native species. Additionally, TPWD has developed the interactive database (TWIMS) that tracks information related to native deer species. TPWD already performs herd inspections and has game wardens and other personnel capable of ensuring compliance with regulations.
TPWD currently develops herd plans in coordination with USDA and TAHC that meet CWD Herd Certification Program standards. TPWD can meet the other requirements of the program with respect to movement restrictions and tracing by utilizing TWIMS.
Describe the Estimated Cost Savings or Other Benefit Associated with Recommended Change
In order to successfully manage CWD as currently structured, TAHC will need significant additional resources and personnel to effectively manage both exotic and native susceptible species.
If TPWD was empowered to have oversight over CWD for native susceptible species, it decreases the duplication of resources, reduces economic inefficiencies due to administrative or procedural delays, allows for better long-term planning, and improves the delivery of services to the public.
Strategic Plan FY 2025-2029 Page 11
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Analysis of Findings The survey results found that the majority of respondents had a favorable overall view of the services provided by TAHC.
Of the respondents who were dissatisfied with TAHC, most were members of the cervid industry. Those respondents provided additional comments expressing dissatisfaction with TAHC’s role in chronic wasting disease (CWD) management and response. Re-evaluating CWD management has been prioritized as a critical need for the agency moving forward.
The survey indicated that customers had positive interactions with TAHC staff, with several commenters praising TAHC staff for their assistance and knowledge. TAHC strives to provide exceptional customer service to all Texans and TAHC will continue to train staff on providing excellent and timely customer service while fulfilling the agencies mission.
During the next biennium, TAHC intends on developing customer surveys that can be distributed to members of the public throughout the year and in response to interactions with staff.
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/agency/pdf/TAHC_Strategic_Plan_2025_2029.pdf
TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION Legislative Appropriations Request for Fiscal Years 2026-2027 CWD TSE Prion
“In 2023, CWD was detected in 12 deer breeder facilities, an additional 378 facilities were identified as having epidemiologically traced deer associated with a CWD affected facility. Since the beginning of 2024, CWD was detected in 6 deer breeder facilities with an additional 166 epidemiologically traced deer associated with a CWD affected facility.”
TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION Legislative Appropriations Request for Fiscal Years 2026-2027 CWD TSE Prion
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USDA adopted changes to the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Program Standards in 2019. To remain consistent with national standards, and allow Texas producers to participate in interstate commerce, TAHC updated rules that governed the Texas’ CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP). Corrective action response to the 2021 USDA Texas HCP audit findings was accepted and verification of corrective action is still in process, pending USDA action. The response plan agreed to by the USDA and TAHC included conducting detailed reviews of 208 herds that were currently enrolled in the HCP which was completed by September 2023.
• Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
CWD is a is a progressive, fatal, and degenerative neurological disease affecting cervids such as deer, elk, moose and other members of the cervid family. The increase in discoveries of CWD in captive cervids continues to increase resource demands placed on TAHC. In 2023, CWD was detected in 12 deer breeder facilities, an additional 378 facilities were identified as having epidemiologically traced deer associated with a CWD affected facility. Since the beginning of 2024, CWD was detected in 6 deer breeder facilities with an additional 166 epidemiologically traced deer associated with a CWD affected facility.
TAHC resources are also heavily invested in administering the Texas Herd Certification Program, a USDA program with required state participation for the interstate movement of CWD susceptible cervids. In order to abide by the federal regulations, TAHC must adhere to strict CWD management principles state-wide and provide individual assessments to the participants in the program. As the incidents of CWD positive white-tailed deer increase, greater strain is placed on the already limited resources TAHC has to support this program and diverts resources that could be used for other disease programs impacting livestock and fowl , resulting in a decreased ability to protect animal agriculture comprising a significant part of the state’s and nation’s food supply. Page 3 of 9Administrator's Statement
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https://www.tahc.texas.gov/agency/pdf/TAHC_LAR_2026-2027.pdf
2026 March Texas CWD TSE Prion
Texas CWD Detected Mason County, Medina County, WTD Breeder, and Duval County, WTD Hunt, 2026 APHIS USDA Captive CWD Herds Update by State March 2026 Update
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CASES
Date of Index Case Confirmation Index Case State County Species Herd Type HCP Enrolled HCP Certified Number of Animals Herd Status
3/5/2026 2 YR Male PA Huntingdon WTD Elk Sika Hunt No No 100+ Quarantine
3/5/2026 1.5 YR Male TX Mason WTD Breeder No No 73 Quarantine
3/5/2026 2.5 YR Female TX Medina WTD Breeder No No 90 Quarantine
2/20/2026 2.75 YR Male MI Calhoun WTD Breeder Yes Yes 24 Quarantine
2/17/2026 2.5 YR Male KS Osage Axis Breeder No No 21 Quarantine
2/12/2026 3.5 YR TX Duval WTD Hunt No No ukn Quarantine
1/22/2026 3 YR Male PA Butler Elk Breeding Yes Yes 30 Quarantine
12/16/2025 Adults Male PA Indiana WTD elk Red deer Fallow Hunt No No ukn Quarantine
12/15/2025 3 YR Male PA Warren WTD Breeder No No >100 Quarantine
12/15/2025 4.5 YR Male PA Lycoming WTD ELK Hunt No No >100 Quarantine
12/15/2025 2.5 YR Male PA Juniata WTD Hobby No No 4 Quarantine
Updated March 2026
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/status-of-captive-herds.pdf
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/04/aphis-usda-captive-cwd-herds-update-by.html
Texas Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Progression 2012 to 2026
CWD Progression in Texas
• 2012
• Free ranging mule deer in far West Texas
• 2015
• Captive WTD breeder in Medina County
• 2016
• Free ranging mule deer in Texas Panhandle
• Free ranging elk in Texas Panhandle
• 2017
• Free ranging WTD in Medina County
• Captive WTD
• Captive Elk on previous positive WTD premises
• Free ranging WTD in Texas Panhandle
• 2019
• Free ranging WTD in Val Verde County
11
CWD Progression in Texas
• 2020
• Captive WTD in Kimble County
• 2021
• 7 captive breeder facilities positive
• Hunt, Duval, Uvalde, Matagorda, and Mason County
• 303 direct traces
• 2022
• 2 captive breeder facilities and 2 release site positive
• Gillespie, Limestone, and Hunt County
• 81 direct traces
• 2023
• 12 captive breeder facilities and 1 release site positive
• Zavala, Washington, Gonzalez, Hamilton, Frio, Sutton, Brooks, Kimble, Medina, Cherokee County
• 378 direct traces
• Free ranging WTD in Bexar and Coleman County
12
CWD Progression in Texas
• 2024
• 7 captive breeder facilities and 2 release sites positive
• Real, Edwards, Zavala, Trinity, Sutton, Medina, Kerr, and Brown County
• 172 direct traces
• Free ranging WTD in Roberts County
• 2025
• 5 captive breeder facilities and 3 release sites positive
• Kaufman, Sutton, Zavala, Duval, Navarro, Limestone, and Tom Green County
• Free ranging detections in Ochiltree and Hutchinson County
• 2026
• 2 release sites positive
• Uvalde and Duval County
Texas currently has 1282 Total Confirmed detentions of CWD. Total cumulative confirmed CWD Positive detections by year:
personal communication TPWD et al…terry
Texas Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Progression 2012 to 2026, Positives to date 1282 confirmed
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/03/texas-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse.html
Texas Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Dashboard
SEE NEW DASHBOARD FOR CWD POSITIVES!
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8f6c27330c444a19b4b57beb7ffabb8b/page/Dashboard#data_s=id%3AdataSource_3-1966d773e34-layer-10%3A29
Texas CWD total by calendar years
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2024/12/texas-cwd-tse-prion-positive-samples-by.html
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/positive-cases/listing-cwd-cases-texas.phtml#texasCWD
Counties where CWD Exposed Deer were Released
https://tpwd.texas.gov/documents/257/CWD-Trace-OutReleaseSites.pdf
Number of CWD Exposed Deer Released by County
https://tpwd.texas.gov/documents/258/CWD-Trace-OutReleaseSites-NbrDeer.pdf
CWD Status Captive Herds
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/status-of-captive-herds.pdf
Trucking CWD TSE Prion
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion of Cervid
“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
“Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease and can devastate deer populations by silently spreading through direct animal contact and contaminated environments. Without close monitoring, illegal movement of captive deer increases the risk of introducing CWD to areas it is not known to exist, potentially leading to widespread outbreaks which will impact more than just the health of Texas deer.”
https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20250227b
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TPW Commission Meeting Transcript January 22, 2026 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION Singeltary Submission
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Science Update 2026 Update
Greetings again Honorable Texas Wildlife and Government Officials,
i am writing you all today with great concern about CWD.
Besides of my concerns with the zoonotic and environmental risk factors of cwd tse prp, i am extremely concerned with the disconnect showing now between TPWD and TAHC with Concerns with CWD management, attempted containment or eradication of CWD. This is terrible. you all must get on the same page, and you all cannot let the captive cervid industry dictate their junk science to you, (which appears what TPWD is doing) and then legislate cwd regulations there from. that’s absolutely why Texas is in this mess with CWD (i have those receipts)…imho!
the last time i updated you all on cwd was;
From: Terry Singeltary <flounder9@verizon.net>
personal communication TPWD et al…terry
Texas Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Progression 2012 to 2026, Positives to date 1282 confirmed
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/03/texas-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse.html
Texas Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Dashboard
SEE NEW DASHBOARD FOR CWD POSITIVES!
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8f6c27330c444a19b4b57beb7ffabb8b/page/Dashboard#data_s=id%3AdataSource_3-1966d773e34-layer-10%3A29
Texas CWD total by calendar years
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2024/12/texas-cwd-tse-prion-positive-samples-by.html
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/positive-cases/listing-cwd-cases-texas.phtml#texasCWD
Counties where CWD Exposed Deer were Released
https://tpwd.texas.gov/documents/257/CWD-Trace-OutReleaseSites.pdf
Number of CWD Exposed Deer Released by County
https://tpwd.texas.gov/documents/258/CWD-Trace-OutReleaseSites-NbrDeer.pdf
CWD Status Captive Herds
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/status-of-captive-herds.pdf
Trucking CWD TSE Prion
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion of Cervid
“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
“Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease and can devastate deer populations by silently spreading through direct animal contact and contaminated environments. Without close monitoring, illegal movement of captive deer increases the risk of introducing CWD to areas it is not known to exist, potentially leading to widespread outbreaks which will impact more than just the health of Texas deer.”
https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20250227b
snip…
TPW Commission Meeting Transcript January 22, 2026 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION Singeltary Submission
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Science Update 2026 Update
Greetings again Honorable Texas Wildlife and Government Officials,
i am writing you all today with great concern about CWD.
Besides of my concerns with the zoonotic and environmental risk factors of cwd tse prp, i am extremely concerned with the disconnect showing now between TPWD and TAHC with Concerns with CWD management, attempted containment or eradication of CWD. This is terrible. you all must get on the same page, and you all cannot let the captive cervid industry dictate their junk science to you, (which appears what TPWD is doing) and then legislate cwd regulations there from. that’s absolutely why Texas is in this mess with CWD (i have those receipts)…imho!
the last time i updated you all on cwd was;
From: Terry Singeltary <flounder9@verizon.net>
Date: January 17, 2024 at 3:25:26 PM CST
To: Cc:
Subject: TPWD Action CWD Detection and Response Rules Containment and Surveillance Zone Boundaries Recommended Adoption of Proposed Changes January 25, 2024
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024
TPWD Action CWD Detection and Response Rules Containment and Surveillance Zone Boundaries Recommended Adoption of Proposed Changes January 25, 2024
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2024/01/tpwd-action-cwd-detection-and-response.html
2026 Singeltary submission cwd;
TPW Commission Meeting Transcript January 22, 2026 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/03/tpw-commission-meeting-transcript-cwd.html
JANUARY 22, 2026
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COMMISSIONER GALO: Chairman, if I may.
I agree with you. There’s a lot of people that really do disagree with this plan. And I think that it does change a lot of what we have been doing in the past when we were with Texas Animal Health Commission.
And, as you know, at the last meeting I had some very big concerns. And I left that meeting and I’ve been thinking about a lot that was said there and a lot about this particular rule package.
And if you may favor me, Chairman, I actually put a statement together because I don’t want to… I felt like I left a lot of things unsaid at the last meeting.
So, if you don’t mind, I’m going to read, and maybe that will clarify some of the reasons that people disagree with this rule package.
Texas A&M studies put the total economic output of white-tailed deer hunting in Texas at around $9.6 billion– $4.6 billion for hunters and $5 billion from landowners, encompassing expenditures on licenses, lodging, feed, management, and more.
Additionally, it generates tens of thousands of jobs across the state. Chronic wasting disease is a threat to this vital cornerstone of Texas’ outdoor recreation and its economy. Unfortunately, CWD remains an incredibly difficult disease to manage due to the ease of transmission, the elusive detection in infected animals, its extended incubation period, and its tenacious persistence in the environment once it’s introduced.
Because we now know that there are two primary sources of exposure, one, CWD-infected deer, and two, a CWD-contaminated environment, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department must continue a rigorous statewide surveillance program, follow effective protocol for action in the instance of detection, and especially prevent its spread pursuant to TWD [Sic]/CWD management plan.
While the TPWD plan to deal with CWD was meant to be dynamic and evolving, TPWD cannot accept the proposed rule which grants, quote– and I quote– “grants TPWD staff explicit authority to develop disease management plans for trace and positive facilities,” end quote; and especially that which relates to the movement of animals out of an infected location.
The department has determined that allowing breeder deer to be moved from an exposed location represents an unacceptable risk of spreading CWD to native, free-ranging, and captive deer populations unless a determination based on the particulars of a given circumstance indicates the risk is neither nonexistent or acceptable.
The above proposed discretionary approach to management resulted in TWD [Sic] staff electing to release 13 bucks from a CWD-positive facility onto an immediately adjacent uninfected site, something which under the previous rule, and adhering to previous protocol, they would not have had the authority to do.
The release was done in mid-September of 2025. One month later, one of the bucks released under the disease management plan tested positive for CWD on the release site; and a second buck from the same group a month and a few days after that. There were 11 properties that were directly exposed to the department’s action… exposed by the department’s actions– 11 properties.
The recent documented disease spread due to deviation from the previous rule adopted during the period where the Texas Animal Health Commission was managing CWD with TPWD is incontrovertible evidence that we cannot deviate from those previously established safeguards. To date, CWD has persisted, spread, and increased in prevalence in nearly every area where it has been introduced.
Unfortunately, because currently there are no known management strategies to successfully mitigate the risk of indirect transmission once an environment has been contaminated with infectious prions, disease prevention is the only prudent recourse.
The best way to manage CWD is to prevent its introduction into new areas and limit its spread. Established safeguards cannot be abandoned. Discontinuation or deviation from prior proven protocol exposes the department to potential liability as CWD will certainly spread to neighboring properties unless established CWD containment procedures are followed.
The department cannot revert to methods from the past which we know caused the spread of this ultimately fatal disease. We must recognize the need for full cooperation and partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners and the department and its staff, and continue to implement the plans and procedures which were developed and incorporated as the epidemiology and management of this disease became better understood, and until science provides a new and a better plan.
snip…see;
TPW Commission Work Session Transcript January 21, 2026 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
JANUARY 21, 2026
COMMISSION HEARING ROOM
4200 SMITH SCHOOL ROAD
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78744
COMMISSION WORK SESSION AND EXECUTIVE SESSION
https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/meetings/2026/0326/agenda/prev_worksession_transcript.phtml
Singeltary Submission
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/03/tpw-commission-meeting-transcript-cwd.html
TPW Commission Meeting Transcript January 22, 2026 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
JANUARY 22, 2026
COMMISSION HEARING ROOM
4200 SMITH SCHOOL ROAD
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78744
COMMISSION MEETING
https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/meetings/2026/0326/agenda/prev_commission_transcript.phtm
OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE 424th COMMISSION MEETING Texas Animal Health Commission May 6, 2025
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Chronic Wasting Disease:
• Positive found in Kaufman County in Calendar Year 2025, trace history to 2021 positive incident, HCP certified herd, herd visit is complete, undecided on disposition of herd
• There were 248 traces closed from 2021, 26 for 2022, 214 for 2023, and 62 for 2024, 19 for 2025
snip…
Item 19 – Consideration and Possible Action on Proposed Rules
Ms. Jeanine Coggeshall presented the rules for proposal:
a) Chapter 32, Hearing and Appeal Procedure, Chapter 40, Chronic Wasting Disease
The CWD HCP is a voluntary federal program administered by USDA for both native and exotic CWD- susceptible herds with guidelines issued under Program Standards. The Program Standards, which includes two components, Part A (Standards for the HCP) and Part B (Standards for State Response), were last updated in May 2019. Texas currently has 81 herds in good standing, which includes two exotic herds and 79 native herds. Participation has significantly declined since 2021 when there were 376 enrolled herds. HCP participation is not required to own exotic cervids or keep native deer captive in Texas. The Program Standards Part B applies to all herds in Texas, not just HCP herds and requires 5-year traces on CWD positives as well as a 5-year post-exposure facility quarantine. Herd plan options
13
Summary Minutes of the 424th Commission Meeting – 5/6/2025
are limited and must be approved by USDA to ensure they are compliant with Program Standards. Pairing the repeal of the Herd Certification Program with amendments of CWD rules will provide sensible regulations that work for Texas by reducing the regulatory burden on producers in instances of CWD-positive cases, make CWD hold orders and quarantines optional rather than mandatory by changing language in rule from “shall” to “may,” and removing the requirement that herd plans and traces be set at a minimum of 5 years. It will also allow for individual herd plans, rather than only USDA-approved templates and will repeal CWD surveillance and containment zones entirely. This will reduce regulations on CWD-Susceptible Exotic Cervids by changing surveillance testing from 100% of mortalities to 3 valid tests each year, clarify that surveillance is focused on captive exotic cervids, and allow testing through ELISA testing.
The motion to PROPOSE amendments to Chapter 32, concerning Hearing and Appeal Procedures, and Chapter 40, concerning Chronic Wasting Disease was made by Commissioner Jordan and seconded by Commissioner TJ Klein. The motion passed.
The notice of the proposed amendments will be published in the Texas Register with a 30-day comment period. Comments regarding the proposals may be submitted to Amanda Bernhard, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758, by fax at (512) 719-0719 or by email at "comments@tahc.state.tx.us".
b) Chapter 51, Entry Requirements
The proposed amendments clarify that one of three forms of accepted identification is needed for ratites entering Texas and provide simplified entry requirements for exotic fowl, excluding ratites, moving between AZA facilities by allowing entry without PT and AI testing and without entry permitting.
The motion to PROPOSE amendments to Chapter 51, Entry Requirements was made by Commissioner Turner and seconded by Commissioner TJ Klein. The motion passed.
The notice of the proposed amendments will be published in the Texas Register with a 30-day comment period. Comments regarding the proposals may be submitted to Amanda Bernhard, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758, by fax at (512) 719-0719 or by email at "comments@tahc.state.tx.us".
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/agency/meetings/minutes/Minutes_CommMtg_2025-05-06.pdf
TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION Legislative Appropriations Request for Fiscal Years 2026-2027
snip…
USDA adopted changes to the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Program Standards in 2019. To remain consistent with national standards, and allow Texas producers to participate in interstate commerce, TAHC updated rules that governed the Texas’ CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP). Corrective action response to the 2021 USDA Texas HCP audit findings was accepted and verification of corrective action is still in process, pending USDA action. The response plan agreed to by the USDA and TAHC included conducting detailed reviews of 208 herds that were currently enrolled in the HCP which was completed by September 2023.
snip…
• Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
CWD is a is a progressive, fatal, and degenerative neurological disease affecting cervids such as deer, elk, moose and other members of the cervid family. The increase in discoveries of CWD in captive cervids continues to increase resource demands placed on TAHC. In 2023, CWD was detected in 12 deer breeder facilities, an additional 378 facilities were identified as having epidemiologically traced deer associated with a CWD affected facility. Since the beginning of 2024, CWD was detected in 6 deer breeder facilities with an additional 166 epidemiologically traced deer associated with a CWD affected facility.
TAHC resources are also heavily invested in administering the Texas Herd Certification Program, a USDA program with required state participation for the interstate movement of CWD susceptible cervids. In order to abide by the federal regulations, TAHC must adhere to strict CWD management principles state-wide and provide individual assessments to the participants in the program. As the incidents of CWD positive white-tailed deer increase, greater strain is placed on the already limited resources TAHC has to support this program and diverts resources that could be used for other disease programs impacting livestock and fowl , resulting in a decreased ability to protect animal agriculture comprising a significant part of the state’s and nation’s food supply. Page 3 of 9
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/agency/pdf/TAHC_LAR_2026-2027.pdf
Ch. 40 Proposed Amendments The Texas Animal Health Commission (Commission) proposed changes to Title 4, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 40, “Chronic Wasting Disease.” The Commission proposed amendments to sections 40.1, 40.2, 40.5, and 40.7. The amendments eliminate definitions relating to the Herd Certification Program, change procedures for issuing hold and quarantine orders, and reduce the surveillance testing requirement from 100% of mortalities to three valid tests each year. The Commission proposed the repeal of sections 40.3 and 40.6. These repeals eliminate rules relating to the Herd Certification Program and eliminate existing containment and surveillance zones and remove regulations regarding movement restriction zones.
CapÃtulo 40 Enmiendas Propuestas
El Texas Animal Health Commission (La Comisión) propuso cambios al TÃtulo 4, Código Administrativo de Texas, CapÃtulo 40, “Enfermedad de desgaste crónico”. La Comisión propuso modificaciones a las secciones 40.1, 40.2, 40.5, y 40.7. Las enmiendas eliminan definiciones relacionadas con el Programa de Certificación de Manada, cambian los procedimientos para emitir órdenes de retención y cuarentena, y reducen el requisito de pruebas de vigilancia del 100% de la mortalidad a tres pruebas válidas cada año. La Comisión propuso la derogación de las secciones 40.3 y 40.6. Estas derogaciones eliminan las reglas relacionadas con el Programa de Certificación de Manada y eliminan las zonas de contención y vigilancia existentes y eliminan las regulaciones relativas a las zonas de restricción de movimiento.
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/summary/2025-05-06_PlainSummary-40.pdf
see;
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024
TPWD Action CWD Detection and Response Rules Containment and Surveillance Zone Boundaries Recommended Adoption of Proposed Changes January 25, 2024
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2024/01/tpwd-action-cwd-detection-and-response.html
2026 Singeltary submission cwd;
TPW Commission Meeting Transcript January 22, 2026 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/03/tpw-commission-meeting-transcript-cwd.html
JANUARY 22, 2026
snip…
COMMISSIONER GALO: Chairman, if I may.
I agree with you. There’s a lot of people that really do disagree with this plan. And I think that it does change a lot of what we have been doing in the past when we were with Texas Animal Health Commission.
And, as you know, at the last meeting I had some very big concerns. And I left that meeting and I’ve been thinking about a lot that was said there and a lot about this particular rule package.
And if you may favor me, Chairman, I actually put a statement together because I don’t want to… I felt like I left a lot of things unsaid at the last meeting.
So, if you don’t mind, I’m going to read, and maybe that will clarify some of the reasons that people disagree with this rule package.
Texas A&M studies put the total economic output of white-tailed deer hunting in Texas at around $9.6 billion– $4.6 billion for hunters and $5 billion from landowners, encompassing expenditures on licenses, lodging, feed, management, and more.
Additionally, it generates tens of thousands of jobs across the state. Chronic wasting disease is a threat to this vital cornerstone of Texas’ outdoor recreation and its economy. Unfortunately, CWD remains an incredibly difficult disease to manage due to the ease of transmission, the elusive detection in infected animals, its extended incubation period, and its tenacious persistence in the environment once it’s introduced.
Because we now know that there are two primary sources of exposure, one, CWD-infected deer, and two, a CWD-contaminated environment, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department must continue a rigorous statewide surveillance program, follow effective protocol for action in the instance of detection, and especially prevent its spread pursuant to TWD [Sic]/CWD management plan.
While the TPWD plan to deal with CWD was meant to be dynamic and evolving, TPWD cannot accept the proposed rule which grants, quote– and I quote– “grants TPWD staff explicit authority to develop disease management plans for trace and positive facilities,” end quote; and especially that which relates to the movement of animals out of an infected location.
The department has determined that allowing breeder deer to be moved from an exposed location represents an unacceptable risk of spreading CWD to native, free-ranging, and captive deer populations unless a determination based on the particulars of a given circumstance indicates the risk is neither nonexistent or acceptable.
The above proposed discretionary approach to management resulted in TWD [Sic] staff electing to release 13 bucks from a CWD-positive facility onto an immediately adjacent uninfected site, something which under the previous rule, and adhering to previous protocol, they would not have had the authority to do.
The release was done in mid-September of 2025. One month later, one of the bucks released under the disease management plan tested positive for CWD on the release site; and a second buck from the same group a month and a few days after that. There were 11 properties that were directly exposed to the department’s action… exposed by the department’s actions– 11 properties.
The recent documented disease spread due to deviation from the previous rule adopted during the period where the Texas Animal Health Commission was managing CWD with TPWD is incontrovertible evidence that we cannot deviate from those previously established safeguards. To date, CWD has persisted, spread, and increased in prevalence in nearly every area where it has been introduced.
Unfortunately, because currently there are no known management strategies to successfully mitigate the risk of indirect transmission once an environment has been contaminated with infectious prions, disease prevention is the only prudent recourse.
The best way to manage CWD is to prevent its introduction into new areas and limit its spread. Established safeguards cannot be abandoned. Discontinuation or deviation from prior proven protocol exposes the department to potential liability as CWD will certainly spread to neighboring properties unless established CWD containment procedures are followed.
The department cannot revert to methods from the past which we know caused the spread of this ultimately fatal disease. We must recognize the need for full cooperation and partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners and the department and its staff, and continue to implement the plans and procedures which were developed and incorporated as the epidemiology and management of this disease became better understood, and until science provides a new and a better plan.
snip…see;
TPW Commission Work Session Transcript January 21, 2026 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
JANUARY 21, 2026
COMMISSION HEARING ROOM
4200 SMITH SCHOOL ROAD
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78744
COMMISSION WORK SESSION AND EXECUTIVE SESSION
https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/meetings/2026/0326/agenda/prev_worksession_transcript.phtml
Singeltary Submission
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/03/tpw-commission-meeting-transcript-cwd.html
TPW Commission Meeting Transcript January 22, 2026 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
JANUARY 22, 2026
COMMISSION HEARING ROOM
4200 SMITH SCHOOL ROAD
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78744
COMMISSION MEETING
https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/meetings/2026/0326/agenda/prev_commission_transcript.phtm
OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE 424th COMMISSION MEETING Texas Animal Health Commission May 6, 2025
snip…
Chronic Wasting Disease:
• Positive found in Kaufman County in Calendar Year 2025, trace history to 2021 positive incident, HCP certified herd, herd visit is complete, undecided on disposition of herd
• There were 248 traces closed from 2021, 26 for 2022, 214 for 2023, and 62 for 2024, 19 for 2025
snip…
Item 19 – Consideration and Possible Action on Proposed Rules
Ms. Jeanine Coggeshall presented the rules for proposal:
a) Chapter 32, Hearing and Appeal Procedure, Chapter 40, Chronic Wasting Disease
The CWD HCP is a voluntary federal program administered by USDA for both native and exotic CWD- susceptible herds with guidelines issued under Program Standards. The Program Standards, which includes two components, Part A (Standards for the HCP) and Part B (Standards for State Response), were last updated in May 2019. Texas currently has 81 herds in good standing, which includes two exotic herds and 79 native herds. Participation has significantly declined since 2021 when there were 376 enrolled herds. HCP participation is not required to own exotic cervids or keep native deer captive in Texas. The Program Standards Part B applies to all herds in Texas, not just HCP herds and requires 5-year traces on CWD positives as well as a 5-year post-exposure facility quarantine. Herd plan options
13
Summary Minutes of the 424th Commission Meeting – 5/6/2025
are limited and must be approved by USDA to ensure they are compliant with Program Standards. Pairing the repeal of the Herd Certification Program with amendments of CWD rules will provide sensible regulations that work for Texas by reducing the regulatory burden on producers in instances of CWD-positive cases, make CWD hold orders and quarantines optional rather than mandatory by changing language in rule from “shall” to “may,” and removing the requirement that herd plans and traces be set at a minimum of 5 years. It will also allow for individual herd plans, rather than only USDA-approved templates and will repeal CWD surveillance and containment zones entirely. This will reduce regulations on CWD-Susceptible Exotic Cervids by changing surveillance testing from 100% of mortalities to 3 valid tests each year, clarify that surveillance is focused on captive exotic cervids, and allow testing through ELISA testing.
The motion to PROPOSE amendments to Chapter 32, concerning Hearing and Appeal Procedures, and Chapter 40, concerning Chronic Wasting Disease was made by Commissioner Jordan and seconded by Commissioner TJ Klein. The motion passed.
The notice of the proposed amendments will be published in the Texas Register with a 30-day comment period. Comments regarding the proposals may be submitted to Amanda Bernhard, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758, by fax at (512) 719-0719 or by email at "comments@tahc.state.tx.us".
b) Chapter 51, Entry Requirements
The proposed amendments clarify that one of three forms of accepted identification is needed for ratites entering Texas and provide simplified entry requirements for exotic fowl, excluding ratites, moving between AZA facilities by allowing entry without PT and AI testing and without entry permitting.
The motion to PROPOSE amendments to Chapter 51, Entry Requirements was made by Commissioner Turner and seconded by Commissioner TJ Klein. The motion passed.
The notice of the proposed amendments will be published in the Texas Register with a 30-day comment period. Comments regarding the proposals may be submitted to Amanda Bernhard, Texas Animal Health Commission, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758, by fax at (512) 719-0719 or by email at "comments@tahc.state.tx.us".
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/agency/meetings/minutes/Minutes_CommMtg_2025-05-06.pdf
TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION Legislative Appropriations Request for Fiscal Years 2026-2027
snip…
USDA adopted changes to the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Program Standards in 2019. To remain consistent with national standards, and allow Texas producers to participate in interstate commerce, TAHC updated rules that governed the Texas’ CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP). Corrective action response to the 2021 USDA Texas HCP audit findings was accepted and verification of corrective action is still in process, pending USDA action. The response plan agreed to by the USDA and TAHC included conducting detailed reviews of 208 herds that were currently enrolled in the HCP which was completed by September 2023.
snip…
• Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
CWD is a is a progressive, fatal, and degenerative neurological disease affecting cervids such as deer, elk, moose and other members of the cervid family. The increase in discoveries of CWD in captive cervids continues to increase resource demands placed on TAHC. In 2023, CWD was detected in 12 deer breeder facilities, an additional 378 facilities were identified as having epidemiologically traced deer associated with a CWD affected facility. Since the beginning of 2024, CWD was detected in 6 deer breeder facilities with an additional 166 epidemiologically traced deer associated with a CWD affected facility.
TAHC resources are also heavily invested in administering the Texas Herd Certification Program, a USDA program with required state participation for the interstate movement of CWD susceptible cervids. In order to abide by the federal regulations, TAHC must adhere to strict CWD management principles state-wide and provide individual assessments to the participants in the program. As the incidents of CWD positive white-tailed deer increase, greater strain is placed on the already limited resources TAHC has to support this program and diverts resources that could be used for other disease programs impacting livestock and fowl , resulting in a decreased ability to protect animal agriculture comprising a significant part of the state’s and nation’s food supply. Page 3 of 9
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/agency/pdf/TAHC_LAR_2026-2027.pdf
Ch. 40 Proposed Amendments The Texas Animal Health Commission (Commission) proposed changes to Title 4, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 40, “Chronic Wasting Disease.” The Commission proposed amendments to sections 40.1, 40.2, 40.5, and 40.7. The amendments eliminate definitions relating to the Herd Certification Program, change procedures for issuing hold and quarantine orders, and reduce the surveillance testing requirement from 100% of mortalities to three valid tests each year. The Commission proposed the repeal of sections 40.3 and 40.6. These repeals eliminate rules relating to the Herd Certification Program and eliminate existing containment and surveillance zones and remove regulations regarding movement restriction zones.
CapÃtulo 40 Enmiendas Propuestas
El Texas Animal Health Commission (La Comisión) propuso cambios al TÃtulo 4, Código Administrativo de Texas, CapÃtulo 40, “Enfermedad de desgaste crónico”. La Comisión propuso modificaciones a las secciones 40.1, 40.2, 40.5, y 40.7. Las enmiendas eliminan definiciones relacionadas con el Programa de Certificación de Manada, cambian los procedimientos para emitir órdenes de retención y cuarentena, y reducen el requisito de pruebas de vigilancia del 100% de la mortalidad a tres pruebas válidas cada año. La Comisión propuso la derogación de las secciones 40.3 y 40.6. Estas derogaciones eliminan las reglas relacionadas con el Programa de Certificación de Manada y eliminan las zonas de contención y vigilancia existentes y eliminan las regulaciones relativas a las zonas de restricción de movimiento.
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/summary/2025-05-06_PlainSummary-40.pdf
see;
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/proposals.html
CWD Captive Voluntary Cervid Herd Program
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cervid/chronic-wasting/herd-certification
TPW Commission Meeting CWD TSE PrP Transcript January 22, 2026 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
Singeltary letter of concern on CWD 2026 submission
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/03/tpw-commission-meeting-transcript-cwd.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/213/texas-chronic-wasting-disease-science
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Science Update 2026 Update
CWD, Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Humans, oh my!
Texas CWD total by calendar years
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2024/12/texas-cwd-tse-prion-positive-samples-by.html
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/positive-cases/listing-cwd-cases-texas.phtml#texasCWD
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026
Texas Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Progression 2012 to 2026, Positives to date 1282 confirmed
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/03/texas-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse.html
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
Texas TPWD Confirms 116 More Cases CWD, Total To Date 1,215 Positives
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/12/texas-tpwd-confirms-116-more-cases-cwd.html
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025
Texas Game Wardens Near Conclusion of ‘Ghost Deer’ Case with 24 Suspects, 1,400 Charges Filed Statewide
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/08/texas-game-wardens-near-conclusion-of.html
TAHC 425th Commission Meeting CWD 1:45:00
* See CWD speakers expressing their concerns with changed regulations…
2:00 hr mark
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bWawHpdn_7I
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
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
http://web.archive.org/web/20201017124040/https://www.tahc.texas.gov/agency/meetings/minutes/SummaryMinutes_CommMtg_2020-09-22.pdf
***> 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 BREEDER DEER ESCAPEE WITH CWD IN THE WILD, or so the genetics would show?
OH NO, please tell me i heard this wrong, a potential Texas captive escapee with cwd in the wild, in an area with positive captive cwd herd?
apparently, no ID though. tell me it ain't so please...
23:00 minute mark
''Free Ranging Deer, Dr. Deyoung looked at Genetics of this free ranging deer and what he found was, that the genetics on this deer were more similar to captive deer, than the free ranging population, but he did not see a significant connection to any one captive facility that he analyzed, so we believe, Ahhhhhh, this animal had some captive ahhh, whatnot.''
https://youtu.be/aoPDeGL6mpQ?t=1384
Commission Agenda Item No. 5 Exhibit B
DISEASE DETECTION AND RESPONSE RULES
PROPOSAL PREAMBLE
1. Introduction.
snip...
A third issue is the accuracy of mortality reporting. Department records indicate that for each of the last five years an average of 26 deer breeders have reported a shared total of 159 escapes. Department records for the same time period indicate an average of 31 breeding facilities reported a shared total of 825 missing deer (deer that department records indicate should be present in the facility, but cannot be located or verified).
https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/meetings/2022/1104/agenda/item.phtml?item=5
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.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=328261
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.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/22/12/16-0635_article
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5189146/
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.
https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1136/vr.105054
***>This is very likely to have parallels with control efforts for CWD in cervids.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30602491/
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.
http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fvets.2015.00032/full
"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
https://prion2023.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Meeting-book-final-version2.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20250828201533/https://prion2023.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Meeting-book-final-version2.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Syed-Zahid-Shah/publication/378314391_Meeting-book-final-version_prion_2023/links/65d44dad28b7720cecdca95f/Meeting-book-final-version-prion-2023.pdf
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.
https://int-cwd-sympo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/final-agenda-with-abstracts.pdf
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.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msphere.00866-24
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
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19336896.2022.2091286
https://intcwdsympo.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/final-agenda-with-abstracts.pdf?force_download=true
***> 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
https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.82011-0
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.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.02852-12
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.
https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1001257
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...
UFor 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.....
https://web.archive.org/web/20170404125557/http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130822084033/http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/files/qra_chronic-wasting-disease-121029.pdf
This old study always brings to light the long term effects of a TSE in the environment…
Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease to a chimpanzee by electrodes contaminated during neurosurgery
Gibbs CJ Jr, Asher DM, Kobrine A, Amyx HL, Sulima MP, Gajdusek DC.
Laboratory of Central Nervous System Studies, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892. Stereotactic multicontact electrodes used to probe the cerebral cortex of a middle aged woman with progressive dementia were previously implicated in the accidental transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) to two younger patients. The diagnoses of CJD have been confirmed for all three cases. More than two years after their last use in humans, after three cleanings and repeated sterilisation in ethanol and formaldehyde vapour, the electrodes were implanted in the cortex of a chimpanzee. Eighteen months later the animal became ill with CJD. This finding serves to re-emphasise the potential danger posed by reuse of instruments contaminated with the agents of spongiform encephalopathies, even after scrupulous attempts to clean them.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8006664&dopt=Abstract
CWD in the Wild
CWD spreads among wild populations at a relatively slow rate, limited by the natural home range and dispersed nature of wild animals. There is evidence that CWD can also be spread when carcasses, specifically brain and spinal material, are transported from CWD areas to other parts of the state.
Since 2012, CWD has been detected in wild deer in just 9 counties in Texas and is only established in the western panhandle and far west Texas.
CWD in Captive Deer
In that same period of time, captive deer breeders have exposed over half of Texas counties to CWD.
Deer held in captive breeding facilities are confined to much tighter spaces, and have intimate contact with many more animals on a daily basis. By far the greatest factor in amplifying the spread of CWD is the artificial movement of these animals, shipped in livestock trailers hundreds of miles, far outside of their natural home range, and ultimately released to co-mingle with wild deer.
https://www.cwdintexas.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0S-yyIu-Lia3irHlKgo539m0ArjzCe6tLp8Hw45_Lwimg4WYGR9_MDCHM_aem_dg5_E-RqPot9tWyvj38Big
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.
"The hard work and commitment of our Texas Game Wardens to uncover these violations cannot be overstated," said TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz. "Their pivotal role in conservation law enforcement helps ensure the health of all deer populations in the state. These violations don’t just break the law—they undermine the very foundation of responsible wildlife management in Texas."
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has referred the cases to prosecutors’ offices in 11 Texas counties.
The cases stem from a prior investigation involving the illegal smuggling of captive white-tailed deer, ultimately leading wardens to uncover this much larger network of alleged offenders after the arrest and conviction of two individuals that occurred in Montgomery County.
The investigation uncovered approximately 500 Class C charges, 700 Class B charges, 22 Class A charges and multiple state jail felony charges. Due to the ongoing nature of this case, the final number of charges filed may vary.
"I am incredibly proud of the dedication and diligence Texas Game Wardens devoted to this case," said Col. Ronald VanderRoest, TPWD law enforcement director. "An operation of this size and scope did not develop overnight and the widespread violations may have continued unchecked, posing an even greater threat to Texas’ deer populations and the integrity of the deer breeding industry, if not for their hard work.”
TPWD has established science-based regulations and procedures to both manage deer breeding in Texas and prevent major disease outbreak, all with the goal of ensuring the long-term sustainability of native and captive deer in Texas.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease and can devastate deer populations by silently spreading through direct animal contact and contaminated environments. Without close monitoring, illegal movement of captive deer increases the risk of introducing CWD to areas it is not known to exist, potentially leading to widespread outbreaks which will impact more than just the health of Texas deer.
Yoskowitz also noted that with many rural Texans depending on hunting as their full or supplemental income, a large-scale outbreak of CWD could pose a significant threat to white-tailed deer hunting, which has a $9.6 billion annual economic contribution and could irreversibly alter Texas’ rich outdoor heritage.
By circumventing requirements, disregarding regulations and falsifying official records, the suspects in this case intentionally placed the state’s entire deer population at risk, explained VanderRoest.
"These individuals and ranches operated with impunity, repeatedly violating established laws designed to protect Texas’ natural resources and safeguard the state’s wildlife against disease transmission," VanderRoest said. "Systematic abuse of the regulatory framework governing the deer breeding industry will not be tolerated as we focus on our mission of conservation law enforcement."
Class C pending charges include transferring deer without valid antemortem CWD tests, lack of identifying tattoos or valid transfer permits, failure to report mortality within the required seven-day period following detection and failure to submit CWD samples within seven days of collection. Additional pending charges include illegally selling and purchasing wild white-tailed deer and hunting deer in a closed season to falsify and circumvent CWD testing requirements by submitting samples from free-ranging wild white-tailed deer in place of breeder deer.
Class B pending charges include possession of wild deer in breeder facilities to replace dead breeder deer, multiple Trap, Transport and Transplant (TTT) permit violations and criminal mischief for the destruction of county and state property.
TTT charges stem from the illegal trapping, transporting and transplanting of free-ranging white-tailed deer for release for hunting, trapping previously released wild deer and reselling them, illegal operation of unregistered facilities participating in the same TTT activities and the undocumented and unauthorized transportation and release of unidentified fawns.
Suspects face Class A charges for taking white-tailed deer without landowner consent and for hunting exotic animals from a public roadway or right of way.
Pending state jail felony charges include tampering with government records falsifying information in TWIMS reports, which were certified as accurate. These incidents include falsifying tests through the submission of tissue samples from poached wild deer for CWD testing in place of the samples of breeder deer, tag swapping between breeder deer, and swapping tags between breeder deer and replacement deer captured in the wild.
TPWD remains committed to enforcing these laws and will hold violators accountable. Texas Game Wardens will continue to pursue those who disregard regulations and illegally exploit Texas’ natural resources, putting both captive and native populations at risk.
About Texas Game Wardens
Texas Game Wardens, within the Law Enforcement Division of TPWD, are responsible for enforcing laws related to the conservation and management of natural resources and public safety through community-based law enforcement. Their mission is to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Additionally, they play a crucial role in search and rescue operations during natural disasters, exemplifying their commitment to protecting both the environment and the people of Texas.
If you witness a wildlife violation in progress, please call 1-800-792-GAME (4263) immediately and report it to Operation Game Thief (OGT), Texas’ Wildlife Crime-Stoppers Program. Dispatchers are available 24/7. Reports can be made anonymously, and tipsters may be eligible for rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to a conviction.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20250227b
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/02/texas-game-wardens-bust-illegal-deer.html
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/02/texas-animal-health-commission-423rd.html
***> USA Report, Scrapie, CWD, BSE, TSE, Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Cervid, Humans, Zoonotic, 2026 April 2026
https://fdabse589.blogspot.com/2026/04/usa-report-scrapie-cwd-bse-tse-cattle.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403956772_USA_Report_Scrapie_CWD_BSE_TSE_Cattle_Sheep_Pigs_Cervid_Humans_Zoonotic_2026
So, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?
Very Sad regards, terry
CWD Captive Voluntary Cervid Herd Program
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cervid/chronic-wasting/herd-certification
TPW Commission Meeting CWD TSE PrP Transcript January 22, 2026 TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
Singeltary letter of concern on CWD 2026 submission
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/03/tpw-commission-meeting-transcript-cwd.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/213/texas-chronic-wasting-disease-science
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Science Update 2026 Update
CWD, Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Humans, oh my!
Texas CWD total by calendar years
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2024/12/texas-cwd-tse-prion-positive-samples-by.html
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/positive-cases/listing-cwd-cases-texas.phtml#texasCWD
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026
Texas Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Progression 2012 to 2026, Positives to date 1282 confirmed
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/03/texas-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse.html
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
Texas TPWD Confirms 116 More Cases CWD, Total To Date 1,215 Positives
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/12/texas-tpwd-confirms-116-more-cases-cwd.html
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025
Texas Game Wardens Near Conclusion of ‘Ghost Deer’ Case with 24 Suspects, 1,400 Charges Filed Statewide
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/08/texas-game-wardens-near-conclusion-of.html
TAHC 425th Commission Meeting CWD 1:45:00
* See CWD speakers expressing their concerns with changed regulations…
2:00 hr mark
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bWawHpdn_7I
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
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
http://web.archive.org/web/20201017124040/https://www.tahc.texas.gov/agency/meetings/minutes/SummaryMinutes_CommMtg_2020-09-22.pdf
***> 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 BREEDER DEER ESCAPEE WITH CWD IN THE WILD, or so the genetics would show?
OH NO, please tell me i heard this wrong, a potential Texas captive escapee with cwd in the wild, in an area with positive captive cwd herd?
apparently, no ID though. tell me it ain't so please...
23:00 minute mark
''Free Ranging Deer, Dr. Deyoung looked at Genetics of this free ranging deer and what he found was, that the genetics on this deer were more similar to captive deer, than the free ranging population, but he did not see a significant connection to any one captive facility that he analyzed, so we believe, Ahhhhhh, this animal had some captive ahhh, whatnot.''
https://youtu.be/aoPDeGL6mpQ?t=1384
Commission Agenda Item No. 5 Exhibit B
DISEASE DETECTION AND RESPONSE RULES
PROPOSAL PREAMBLE
1. Introduction.
snip...
A third issue is the accuracy of mortality reporting. Department records indicate that for each of the last five years an average of 26 deer breeders have reported a shared total of 159 escapes. Department records for the same time period indicate an average of 31 breeding facilities reported a shared total of 825 missing deer (deer that department records indicate should be present in the facility, but cannot be located or verified).
https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/meetings/2022/1104/agenda/item.phtml?item=5
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.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=328261
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.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/22/12/16-0635_article
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5189146/
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.
https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1136/vr.105054
***>This is very likely to have parallels with control efforts for CWD in cervids.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30602491/
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.
http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fvets.2015.00032/full
"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
https://prion2023.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Meeting-book-final-version2.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20250828201533/https://prion2023.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Meeting-book-final-version2.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Syed-Zahid-Shah/publication/378314391_Meeting-book-final-version_prion_2023/links/65d44dad28b7720cecdca95f/Meeting-book-final-version-prion-2023.pdf
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.
https://int-cwd-sympo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/final-agenda-with-abstracts.pdf
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.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msphere.00866-24
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
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19336896.2022.2091286
https://intcwdsympo.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/final-agenda-with-abstracts.pdf?force_download=true
***> 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
https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.82011-0
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.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.02852-12
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.
https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1001257
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...
UFor 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.
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https://web.archive.org/web/20170404125557/http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130822084033/http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/files/qra_chronic-wasting-disease-121029.pdf
This old study always brings to light the long term effects of a TSE in the environment…
Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease to a chimpanzee by electrodes contaminated during neurosurgery
Gibbs CJ Jr, Asher DM, Kobrine A, Amyx HL, Sulima MP, Gajdusek DC.
Laboratory of Central Nervous System Studies, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892. Stereotactic multicontact electrodes used to probe the cerebral cortex of a middle aged woman with progressive dementia were previously implicated in the accidental transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) to two younger patients. The diagnoses of CJD have been confirmed for all three cases. More than two years after their last use in humans, after three cleanings and repeated sterilisation in ethanol and formaldehyde vapour, the electrodes were implanted in the cortex of a chimpanzee. Eighteen months later the animal became ill with CJD. This finding serves to re-emphasise the potential danger posed by reuse of instruments contaminated with the agents of spongiform encephalopathies, even after scrupulous attempts to clean them.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8006664&dopt=Abstract
CWD in the Wild
CWD spreads among wild populations at a relatively slow rate, limited by the natural home range and dispersed nature of wild animals. There is evidence that CWD can also be spread when carcasses, specifically brain and spinal material, are transported from CWD areas to other parts of the state.
Since 2012, CWD has been detected in wild deer in just 9 counties in Texas and is only established in the western panhandle and far west Texas.
CWD in Captive Deer
In that same period of time, captive deer breeders have exposed over half of Texas counties to CWD.
Deer held in captive breeding facilities are confined to much tighter spaces, and have intimate contact with many more animals on a daily basis. By far the greatest factor in amplifying the spread of CWD is the artificial movement of these animals, shipped in livestock trailers hundreds of miles, far outside of their natural home range, and ultimately released to co-mingle with wild deer.
https://www.cwdintexas.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0S-yyIu-Lia3irHlKgo539m0ArjzCe6tLp8Hw45_Lwimg4WYGR9_MDCHM_aem_dg5_E-RqPot9tWyvj38Big
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.
"The hard work and commitment of our Texas Game Wardens to uncover these violations cannot be overstated," said TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz. "Their pivotal role in conservation law enforcement helps ensure the health of all deer populations in the state. These violations don’t just break the law—they undermine the very foundation of responsible wildlife management in Texas."
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has referred the cases to prosecutors’ offices in 11 Texas counties.
The cases stem from a prior investigation involving the illegal smuggling of captive white-tailed deer, ultimately leading wardens to uncover this much larger network of alleged offenders after the arrest and conviction of two individuals that occurred in Montgomery County.
The investigation uncovered approximately 500 Class C charges, 700 Class B charges, 22 Class A charges and multiple state jail felony charges. Due to the ongoing nature of this case, the final number of charges filed may vary.
"I am incredibly proud of the dedication and diligence Texas Game Wardens devoted to this case," said Col. Ronald VanderRoest, TPWD law enforcement director. "An operation of this size and scope did not develop overnight and the widespread violations may have continued unchecked, posing an even greater threat to Texas’ deer populations and the integrity of the deer breeding industry, if not for their hard work.”
TPWD has established science-based regulations and procedures to both manage deer breeding in Texas and prevent major disease outbreak, all with the goal of ensuring the long-term sustainability of native and captive deer in Texas.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease and can devastate deer populations by silently spreading through direct animal contact and contaminated environments. Without close monitoring, illegal movement of captive deer increases the risk of introducing CWD to areas it is not known to exist, potentially leading to widespread outbreaks which will impact more than just the health of Texas deer.
Yoskowitz also noted that with many rural Texans depending on hunting as their full or supplemental income, a large-scale outbreak of CWD could pose a significant threat to white-tailed deer hunting, which has a $9.6 billion annual economic contribution and could irreversibly alter Texas’ rich outdoor heritage.
By circumventing requirements, disregarding regulations and falsifying official records, the suspects in this case intentionally placed the state’s entire deer population at risk, explained VanderRoest.
"These individuals and ranches operated with impunity, repeatedly violating established laws designed to protect Texas’ natural resources and safeguard the state’s wildlife against disease transmission," VanderRoest said. "Systematic abuse of the regulatory framework governing the deer breeding industry will not be tolerated as we focus on our mission of conservation law enforcement."
Class C pending charges include transferring deer without valid antemortem CWD tests, lack of identifying tattoos or valid transfer permits, failure to report mortality within the required seven-day period following detection and failure to submit CWD samples within seven days of collection. Additional pending charges include illegally selling and purchasing wild white-tailed deer and hunting deer in a closed season to falsify and circumvent CWD testing requirements by submitting samples from free-ranging wild white-tailed deer in place of breeder deer.
Class B pending charges include possession of wild deer in breeder facilities to replace dead breeder deer, multiple Trap, Transport and Transplant (TTT) permit violations and criminal mischief for the destruction of county and state property.
TTT charges stem from the illegal trapping, transporting and transplanting of free-ranging white-tailed deer for release for hunting, trapping previously released wild deer and reselling them, illegal operation of unregistered facilities participating in the same TTT activities and the undocumented and unauthorized transportation and release of unidentified fawns.
Suspects face Class A charges for taking white-tailed deer without landowner consent and for hunting exotic animals from a public roadway or right of way.
Pending state jail felony charges include tampering with government records falsifying information in TWIMS reports, which were certified as accurate. These incidents include falsifying tests through the submission of tissue samples from poached wild deer for CWD testing in place of the samples of breeder deer, tag swapping between breeder deer, and swapping tags between breeder deer and replacement deer captured in the wild.
TPWD remains committed to enforcing these laws and will hold violators accountable. Texas Game Wardens will continue to pursue those who disregard regulations and illegally exploit Texas’ natural resources, putting both captive and native populations at risk.
About Texas Game Wardens
Texas Game Wardens, within the Law Enforcement Division of TPWD, are responsible for enforcing laws related to the conservation and management of natural resources and public safety through community-based law enforcement. Their mission is to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Additionally, they play a crucial role in search and rescue operations during natural disasters, exemplifying their commitment to protecting both the environment and the people of Texas.
If you witness a wildlife violation in progress, please call 1-800-792-GAME (4263) immediately and report it to Operation Game Thief (OGT), Texas’ Wildlife Crime-Stoppers Program. Dispatchers are available 24/7. Reports can be made anonymously, and tipsters may be eligible for rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to a conviction.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20250227b
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/02/texas-game-wardens-bust-illegal-deer.html
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/02/texas-animal-health-commission-423rd.html
***> USA Report, Scrapie, CWD, BSE, TSE, Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Cervid, Humans, Zoonotic, 2026 April 2026
https://fdabse589.blogspot.com/2026/04/usa-report-scrapie-cwd-bse-tse-cattle.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403956772_USA_Report_Scrapie_CWD_BSE_TSE_Cattle_Sheep_Pigs_Cervid_Humans_Zoonotic_2026
So, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?
Very Sad regards, terry
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