Idaho Fish and Game culls more wild deer trapped in domestic elk farm to guard against spread of CWD

Idaho Fish and Game culls more wild deer trapped in domestic elk farm to guard against spread of CWD

Idaho Fish and Game culls more wild deer trapped in domestic elk farm

 AUGUST 23, 2026

Idaho Fish and Game culls more wild deer trapped in domestic elk farm

This summer has seen 65 deer killed at Rexburg facility that is under CWD quarantine

Eric Barker Lewiston Tribune Mule deer graze in an eastern Washington field in this photo from 2021.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game recently killed than 60 mule deer trapped inside of a captive elk facility in southeastern Idaho to guard against the spread of CWD. Mule deer graze in an eastern Washington field in this photo from 2021. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game recently killed than 60 mule deer trapped inside of a captive elk facility in southeastern Idaho to guard against the spread of CWD. Pete Caster/Tribune Listen to this article

Idaho Fish and Game employees shot and killed more than 65 wild deer this summer that made their way into a fenced domestic elk hunting facility near Rexburg that is under a chronic wasting disease quarantine.

The move was taken to prevent the potential spread of the deadly and persistent disease to wild big game herds in the state’s Upper Snake River Region. According to public records obtained by the Idaho Conservation League, the department has spent about $40,000 on the operation at the Rocky Mountain Elk Ranch that includes more than $22,000 in staff time.

“The producer has worked with us as have the previous ones to try to address the situation, but it is very time consuming and very labor intensive,” Matt Pieron, regional supervisor of the department’s Upper Snake River Region, told the Tribune. “I have staff burning both ends of the candle.”

It’s not the first time the agency has resorted to killing wild animals at domestic elk operations that have proven incapable of both keeping wild animals out of the high-fenced facilities and preventing domestic animals from escaping.

More than 80 wild mule deer were killed by Fish and Game sharpshooters and members of the public holding special hunting tags early this year after the animals found their way into a domestic elk ranch.

Previously, the agency shot and killed a wild bull moose that was found inside the Broadmouth Canyon Ranch, a high-fence hunting operation owned by former NFL player Rulon Jones.

Last October, a hunter killed a bull elk that escaped from Broadmouth Ranch and another hunter killed a wild elk inside a different facility. Last September, a hunter killed a bull elk that escaped from the Juniper Mountain Ranch elk facility. The hunter had been scouting the bull for months.

“I think Idahoans have lost trust in how these high-fence hunt pens are run and regulated by the state,” said Jeff Abrams of the Idaho Conservation League. “Each year, the risks they pose to our state’s public wildlife resources are becoming more obvious. Equally troubling is that hunters, wildlife managers, and the public are bearing the true conservation costs of these operations.”

Domestic elk ranching is managed by the Idaho Department of Agriculture and wild animals like mule deer, elk and moose are managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. When it comes to problems such as the need to cull wild animals that have been potentially exposed to CWD from domestic elk, Fish and Game is stuck with the bill.

According to documents Abrams obtained through a public records request, Fish and Game has spent more than $172,000 on problems stemming from domestic elk outfits in the past year, not including administrative costs or the value of the public’s loss of wildlife. The latest culling had extra urgency because the ranch is under quarantine. Previous operations were based on just the possibility that CWD could be present.

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Sign Up “We know there have been animals harvested out of the facility that have been positive for CWD and they are shedding prions into the facility. So any animals in the facility, unfortunately, need to be harvested,” said Tricia Hebdon, assistant chief of Fish and Games Wildlife Bureau at Boise.

The disease that affects deer, elk and moose is found in 36 states including Idaho and Washington, though it has not been found in southeastern Idaho’s wild deer and elk herds. It is spread by misfolded proteins known as prions and results in debilitating neurological symptoms before the eventual death of the animal. Those prions are shed through bodily fluids that can persist on the landscape for years and infect animals that come in contact with them. While it has never been shown to infect humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends against consuming meat from infected animals.

In an effort to contain its spread, Idaho Fish and Game has culled wild deer herds in the Slate Creek area near White Bird where the disease was first detected in the state five years ago. It has since been found near Bonners Ferry and New Meadows in Idaho and in Washington’s Spokane and Pend Oreille counties.

Don Ebert, an Idaho Fish and Game commissioner representing the Clearwater Region, wants the Idaho Legislature to take affirmative steps to prevent its spread.

“I don’t have anything against private game farmers. I’m all for free enterprise, but the risk is huge. This concerns me greatly,” he said. “I’m not trying to throw ISDA under the bus. I think they run by the rules. This one is on the legislature. If it gets out of control, it’s on the legislature, no one else.”

In 2024, the Idaho Legislature passed House Bill 591 that let domestic elk and deer farms operate with single fences instead of double fences spaced 6 feet apart. Double fences add an extra layer of protection against failure while spacing them apart prevents nose-to-nose contact between wild and domestic animals. Domestic game farms under quarantine can’t move their animals to other facilities but they can move animals within different units of their own operations even if they are geographically adjacent. For example, with permission from the Idaho Department of Agriculture, they can move animals from a breeding facility to a hunting facility.

Chanel Tewalt, director of the Idaho Department of Agriculture, and Scott Leibsle, the agency veterinarian, did not respond to emailed questions from the Tribune about the latest culling, including whether the agency could compensate Fish and Game for its expenses.

The two officials did testify at the Idaho Fish and Game Commission’s July meeting at Jerome, in which they said the domestic deer and elk program is fully paid for by producer fees. Over the past two years, 13 domestic elk have tested positive for CWD.

Tewalt noted her agency and Idaho Fish and Game work well together but have very different missions.

“The department of agriculture has a constitutional and statutory mission to protect private property and the freest extent and the freest use of private property possible and sometimes that flies in conflict with Fish and Game’s mission to protect a public good, and we recognize those are very different things,” she said.

Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com

https://www.lmtribune.com/stories-section/idaho-fish-and-game-culls-more-wild-deer-trapped-in-domestic-elk-farm-cf69f32e

High-Fence Ranches in Idaho Promised Biosecurity. Then Elk Started Escaping, and Wild Deer and Moose Broke in

Lawmakers loosened regulations on captive elk facilities. It put dozens of wild animals at risk for CWD, and stole opportunities from fair-chase hunters

Christine Peterson Avatar By Christine Peterson Published Mar 2, 2026 4:21 PM EST

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Less than two years after Idaho lawmakers passed a bill loosening regulations on captive elk breeding and high-fence hunting operations, the state had to kill 82 wild mule deer that had wandered into one of those facilities. Under other circumstances, officials could have hazed the deer out. But the high-fence ranch was under enhanced testing due to fears of chronic wasting disease.

Ultimately the mule deer were culled by Idaho Fish and Game staff and some hunters out of “an abundance of caution to prevent any possible spread” of the disease, according to the agency in a Feb. 12 statement.

This state-ordered cull took place at Juniper Mountain Ranch near Rexburg. It’s not the only recent incident involving domestic elk facilities and biosecurity failures. A series of public records requests, made by Idaho Conservation League’s wildlife program associate Jeff Abrams and provided to Outdoor Life, have revealed that intermingling between wild and captive cervids is an ongoing problem in Idaho.

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Most of the incidents involve wild cervids entering high-fence ranches, or domestic animals escaping ranches. This occurs when deer, elk, and even moose crawl under fencing or hop over fences, or walk over fencing via natural snow bridges. Abrams says these are all part of a worrying trend at a time when CWD is spreading within wild herds and in domestic facilities.

In September, a fair-chase hunter killed a bull elk that turned out to be an escapee from Juniper Mountain Ranch. The elk was shot on BLM land, roughly 16 miles away from the high-fenced ranch.

A hunter killed an elk inside a facility. On October 17, 2025 a hunter harvested a bull elk that had escaped from the Broadmouth Canyon high-fenced elk facility. Photos via IDFG In October, another domestic bull elk was killed by a public-land hunter after escaping Broadmouth Canyon Ranch. This was after IDFG officials euthanized a wild bull moose inside the same high-fence ranch, which first tested positive for CWD in 2024.

Abrams points to other documented high-fence failures that he’s learned of through additional public records requests. One example occurred between October 2021 and March 2022, when 40 animals, including deer and a bull moose, became trapped in one such facility. Seventeen of the deer were culled by IDFG staff and hunters. By February 2023, IDFG had documented as many as 30 wild deer within the same ranch.

“Every time a wild deer or elk or moose is killed … a chance of a fair-chase hunter harvesting that animal was stolen,” Abrams says, referring to the recent culling operation at Juniper Mountain. “By virtue of the fact that 80 deer got trapped, there are 80 hunters that could have otherwise had the opportunity to harvest those on public lands.”

Abrams and other conservationists say these documented security breaches are proof of inadequacies in a new law that was intended to lessen the regulatory burden on high-fence elk ranches — places that can fetch tens of thousands of dollars per hunt. They also cite a lack of enforcement and penalties on the part of the Idaho Department of Agriculture, and they say the state’s wildlife are paying the price.

Matt Pieron, a regional supervisor for IDFG, says CWD’s spread is “a very real concern, regardless of whether it’s coming from movement of wild ungulates or whether it’s coming from captive ungulates mingling with wildlife.”

Idaho Republican Rep. Richard Cheatum agrees. He also believes other lawmakers and state officials aren’t taking the threat seriously enough.

“For 15 years, I’ve been screaming and hollering about chronic wasting disease and getting nowhere,” says Cheatum, who recently watched a friend die of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, which is a prion disease that affects humans and is structurally similar to CWD. “I’ve heard people say they’re doing what they can, but I don’t believe they are.” Loosening CWD Regulations in Idaho

Until 2024, any captive elk facilities in Idaho under quarantine were required to have double fencing to prevent contact between domestic and wild cervids. Facilities could be under quarantine because they imported animals from places like Alberta, Canada, where CWD is prevalent. During the permitting process, individual counties could also require double fences as a way to prevent physical contact between captive elk and wild game.

Previously, Idaho also mandated that any elk that died in captive facilities must be tested for chronic wasting disease. It prohibited elk in CWD-positive facilities from being moved to other high-fence areas for hunting.

But in February 2024, Idaho Republican Rep. Jerald Raymond proposed a bill stripping the double-fence requirement. The bill also allowed facilities known to contain CWD to transport domestic elk to other high-fence areas for hunting, albeit with permission from the state’s director of agriculture. Raymond did not respond to a request for comment for this article.

A moose killed inside facility From IDFG records requests: “On August 1, 2025, IDFG staff killed a bull moose inside the Broadmouth Canyon high-fenced hunting elk facility. This moose was located by ISDA when they were flying a thermal drone over the facility prior to elk being released because the Broadmouth facility had a fence go down earlier in the year and IDFG requested that the area be checked for any wild cervids because of the CWD quarantine.” Photos via IDFG Double fencing would be too burdensome and expensive, according to legislative testimony from Juniper Mountain Ranch owner and former Idaho Republican Sen. Jeff Siddoway, who spoke in favor of the bill before Idaho’s Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee. Fencing runs up to $100,000 per mile, and ranches may need up to 40 miles of fence. The rule would “shut down many elk ranch businesses,” according to meeting notes from the committee hearing.

But conservationists like Abrams say these precautions are necessary to keep disease, including CWD, from spreading.

“This business model is loaded with risk,” Abrams says. “If operators want to have a place in this state, they shouldn’t be compromising the health of our wildlife herds and rural communities that depend on them. There’s too much at stake.”

Lawmakers supporting the bill argued that ranchers could maintain complete biosecurity at their facilities. The extra fence was unnecessary, they said, as were the state’s requirements that animals couldn’t be moved from somewhere with CWD to a separate hunting location. Ranchers, lawmakers said, would take extra precautions when necessary to protect their own herds.

“The government did not need to interfere with their business,” according to meeting notes summarizing comments. And in March, during the 2024 legislative session, the law passed. Security Lapses and CWD Concerns

Decades of studies have shown that once CWD is established in an area, the disease is nearly impossible to eradicate.

So when Idaho biologists detected CWD in a localized, wild whitetail deer population in 2021, Fish and Game dramatically increased tags, according to Dan Garren, a regional supervisor for Idaho Fish and Game. From there, CWD popped up in wild elk in 2022, and the state recorded its first case in domestic elk in 2024.

“Our number one goal is to keep it from spreading, to stop it from being introduced,” Garren says. It hasn’t been detected in wild herds in the Eastern and Southern sides of the state, and “we would love to keep it that way.”

The IDFG oversees wild deer, elk, and moose. But domestic elk are considered livestock, which means captive facilities and high-fence ranches are overseen by the Idaho Department of Agriculture. Little was known publicly about recent biosecurity failures until Abrams began filing public records requests. Then, in mid-February, Fish and Game issued a statement about the 82 wild mule deer that were culled in southeast Idaho.

An aerial shot of tracks under high fence An aerial photo of deer tracks bisecting a high-fence at an unnamed facility. Photos via IDFG The wild deer had worked their way onto Juniper Mountain Ranch, and hunters on adjacent public lands told Fish and Game they saw them in mid-to late October. By the end of January, state sharpshooters had killed more than half the deer, and hunters with depredation tags killed the other half. The deer killed by sharpshooters hung in freezers until they were tested for CWD. Then the state paid to have them butchered and donated to food pantries, according to Pieron of IDFG.

“The actions we just took at this facility very clearly demonstrate how seriously we take this,” he says. “I can assure you none of our staff took one ounce of pleasure about it. We’ve all lost sleep. But being responsible means making hard choices and that’s what we needed to do here.”

Much of the facility’s fencing exists in sandy soils easily susceptible to wind and erosion, Pieron says. The deer likely crawled under the fence through holes that were dug by coyotes or other critters.

High fence issues at snow. More issues with fencing at captive elk facilities in Idaho. Photos via IDFG Department officials didn’t kill all the wild mule deer at Juniper Mountain Ranch, Pieron says, but only a handful likely remain. He also wasn’t sure if the holes in the fence had been fixed. The Siddoways, who own and operate Juniper Mountain Ranch, did not respond to a request for comment for this article. No Clear Resolution for Idaho

Abrams says the state needs to return to requiring double fencing, at least for quarantined facilities, and prohibit the transport of animals between facilities that are under quarantine. It should also return to testing all animals that die in captive facilities, regardless of quarantine status. Perhaps most importantly, he says, the state should only allow importation of animals enrolled in the USDA Captive Herd Certification Program. The state also needs to begin enforcing penalties for violations. To date, says Abrams, there have been no known fines or citations issued to captive facilities related to the recent incidents.

He says ranchers should also have to pay for the culling of wild animals that sneak into their facilities, instead of relying on state agency dollars that come from license revenues. In other words, hunters shouldn’t be footing the bills for their mistakes.

“The sportsmen of Idaho are being asked by the state to shoulder the burden,” Abrams says.

And while it’s easy to say CWD will spread no matter what agencies and hunters do, Garren says the state should keep trying to contain the disease.

“We [humans] all know we’re going to die eventually, but we go to great lengths to stay as healthy for as long as we can. That’s not much different than CWD,” says Garren. “It may get here one day, but we really want to keep it at bay and spreading as slowly as possible.”

The Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association is also following the issue closely, including by sending out IDFG press releases to keep its members updated. CWD’s expansion throughout Idaho will “not be a positive to our industry,” says Erik Weiseth, the group’s executive director.

“If it’s not a big deal today,” he says, “it has a big chance to be a huge deal in the future.”

Nick Fasciano with the Idaho Wildlife Federation is concerned as well. He also worries, however, that the debate around high-fence elk ranches will become an issue that divides the sportsmen’s community, which could take attention away from the broader effort to prevent CWD’s spread across the state.

“Like everything, there are political sensitivities around it and our goal is to make sure the entire issue doesn’t become a political football,” Fasciano says. “If that happens, it’s a lot harder to manage. CWD management can go off the rails in a hurry.”

About CWD Chronic wasting disease has long plagued North America’s captive cervid industry. The always-fatal prion disease was first identified in a Colorado State University research facility, and then found in the wild in southeast Wyoming. From there it spread, creeping through the Cowboy State but also traveling through infected animals as far away as Saskatchewan, Alberta, Pennsylvania, and even South Korea. It’s now been documented in wild cervids in 36 states, in captive facilities in 21 states, as well as in four Canadian provinces.

CWD spreads primarily from contact between animals, but since prions aren’t alive like bacteria, some studies show they can remain infectious in soils for years. That means places where CWD has been found — like high-fence facilities — can become hot spots for spreading the disease. As a result, some states require captive centers to euthanize entire populations if they have an animal that tests positive. This has led to intense pushback in places like Texas, where one breeder refused and took his case to the state Supreme Court. (He eventually lost.)

But while the disease has spread relatively quickly through most states east of Wyoming, its journey north and west has been slower. The disease was first documented in Montana in 2017.

Christine Peterson Avatar Christine Peterson Contributor

https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/high-fence-hunting-ranches-idaho/

Mule deer lethally removed from captive elk facility will be donated to local food banks Home Press Releases and Articles idfg-jbrower Thursday, February 12, 2026 - 1:59 PM MST

Over the past few months, Idaho Fish and Game has removed 82 wild mule deer from inside a high-fenced captive elk facility in Game Management Unit 60A.

During the 2025 hunting season, hunters on adjacent lands reported seeing numerous wild mule deer inside the facility. It appears these animals gained access to the facility through gaps under the fence. While this facility has not had any captive elk test positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), it is subject to Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s (ISDA) 100% CWD testing requirement. Other captive elk facilities in Jefferson, Bingham, and Madison Counties have had multiple captive elk test positive for the disease during the past 18 months.

After evaluating several options, including hazing deer out of the enclosure, Fish and Game determined that the lethal removal of these deer was the most responsible course of action. There is no reliable way to test live animals for CWD, and wild deer cannot legally be kept in captivity. This difficult decision was made out of an abundance of caution to prevent any possible spread of CWD.

Captive elk facilities are regulated by ISDA in accordance with existing state laws and rules, while Fish and Game manages all wild deer and elk populations. The agencies have worked closely together, and with the facility owner, to implement the removal.

The deer were removed through a combination of public hunters drawn from the depredation hunt list and Fish and Game staff efforts. All removed deer are being tested for CWD and thus far 76 have tested negative, with no positives. Results from the remaining deer are pending.

About half of the deer were harvested by public hunters and were kept for personal consumption. After testing negative for CWD, the remainder are being professionally processed and donated to local food banks. IDFG and ISDA jointly paid for meat processing.

For more information about CWD and Fish and Game’s management efforts, visit idfg.idaho.gov.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/mule-deer-lethally-removed-captive-elk-facility-will-be-donated-local-food-banks

Idaho CWD TSE Prion

https://idfg.idaho.gov/search?search=cwd+#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=cwd%20&gsc.page=1

https://idfg.idaho.gov/cwd

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2026

Idaho Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE PrP Update 100 Cases Positive To Date

Greetings Honorable Commissioner, Commissioners et al of Idaho Wildlife,

i kindly wish to update Idaho of the latest science on Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE PrP.

When legislating rules and regulations about CWD, one needs all the science, not just industry fed junk science.

Good Luck!

kindest regards, terry

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/02/idaho-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse.html

ALERT, ALERT, FOR ALL YOU CWD CONSPIRACY TIN FOIL HATS, CWD INSURANCE FAULT BELIEVING, CWD NEVER KILLED A DEER BELIEVERS, DNR PARKS WILDLIFE MONEY GRAB BELIEVERS, this post is for you…terry

***> i’m thinking environmental contamination from cwd, the fact the tse prion can survive in the environment, soil, from 15, 16, to 21 years, what about Real Estate Property Values over time?

we know now from laboratory scientific, transmission studies, CWD, TSE, Prion, will transmit, by oral routes to, Cattle, Pigs; Sheep, Cervid, and Primates. i can still remember, from early BSE days, very frightening stuff.

I remember what “deep throat” told me about Scrapie back around 2001, during early days of my BSE investigation, after my Mom died from hvCJD, I never forgot, and it seems it’s come to pass;

***> Confidential!!!!

***> As early as 1992-3 there had been long studies conducted on small pastures containing scrapie infected sheep at the sheep research station associated with the Neuropathogenesis Unit in Edinburgh, Scotland. Whether these are documented...I don't know. But personal recounts both heard and recorded in a daily journal indicate that leaving the pastures free and replacing the topsoil completely at least 2 feet of thickness each year for SEVEN years....and then when very clean (proven scrapie free) sheep were placed on these small pastures.... the new sheep also broke out with scrapie and passed it to offspring. I am not sure that TSE contaminated ground could ever be free of the agent!! A very frightening revelation!!!

---end personal email---end...tss

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion

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

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

You cannot cook the TSE prion disease out of meat. In fact new data now shows that exposure to high temperatures used to cook the meat increased the availability of prions for in vitro amplification.

you can take the ash and mix it with saline and inject that ash into a mouse, and the mouse will go down with TSE.

Prion Infected Meat-and-Bone Meal Is Still Infectious after Biodiesel Production as well.

the TSE prion agent also survives Simulated Wastewater Treatment Processes.

IN fact, you should also know that the TSE Prion agent will survive in the environment for years, if not decades.

you can bury it and it will not go away.

The TSE agent is capable of infected your water table i.e. Detection of protease-resistant cervid prion protein in water from a CWD-endemic area.

it’s not your ordinary pathogen you can just cook it out and be done

and so it seems…2026

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

cwd, environmental factors, soil saturation of cwd PrP over time, and growing vegetables, hay, straw, or anything, if plants can uptake the cwd PrP, and then, what about, surrounding environmental cwd factors, water, what about real estate and property values, over time, i don’t make this stuff up…

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

=====***>

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

=====***>

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 Conference Abstracts

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

***> 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

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/

and so it seems…

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) prion detection in environmental and biological samples from a taxidermy site and nursing facility, and instruments used in surveillance activities

Available online 9 April 2025

Highlights

• CWD prions were identified in a taxidermy and deer nursing facility.

• Contaminated samples included waters, soils, dermestid beetles, domestic flies and a dumpster.

• Surgical instruments used to collect deer samples can get contaminated with CWD prions.

• Some of the infectious particles are readily released from surgical instruments when washed.

• Our results suggest that taxidermy practices actively contribute in the spreading of CWD.

Snip…

In summary, the information provided in this report demonstrate how anthropogenic activities, specifically taxidermy practices, animal processing, and rehabilitation of CWD susceptible species, may facilitate CWD transmission through the environmental dissemination of CWD prions. This study, along with future research efforts characterizing the overall level of infectivity, provides relevant information on managing CWD and to control its rapid geographic expansion. …

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969725009544

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

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

The Ames Research and Educational Center property, centrally located within the CWD zone of southwest Tennessee, contains 49 historical mineral supplementation sites that were decommissioned in 2012. Here, we demonstrate that 32 of the 49 (65%) mineral sites within Ames established prior to the regional CWD outbreak, serve as foci of environmental PrPCWD contamination. Detection of PrPCWD in soils from these artificial mineral sites was dependent on site-specific management efforts. Soil physical properties were very similar across sites and no correlation between PrPCWD detection and soil physical properties was found. 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://intcwdsympo.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/final-agenda-with-abstracts.pdf

Shedding of Chronic Wasting Disease Prions in Multiple Excreta Throughout Disease Course in White-tailed Deer

Conclusions: These studies demonstrate: (a) CWD prion excretion occurs throughout infection; (2) PRNP genotype (GG≫GS/NT) influences the excreta shedding; and (3) detection sensitivity in excreta can vary with different RT-QuIC protocols. These results provide a more complete perspective of prion shedding in deer during the course of CWD infection.

Prion 2022 Conference abstracts: pushing the boundaries

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19336896.2022.2091286

Characterizing Hydrological Transport Pathways of Chronic Wasting Disease in the Environment

Authors Anu Wille, Diana L Karwan, Stuart Siegfried Lichtenberg, Madeline Grunklee, Gage Rowden, Victoria Ferguson-Kramer, Marc D Schwabenlander, Tiffany M Wolf, Peter A Larsen Publication date 2024/6 Journal Water Science Conference (WaterSciCon24 Pages 110-04

Description Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative prion disease found in deer, moose, and elk. Cases of CWD in Minnesota have risen considerably over the last few years, raising wildlife, environmental, and public health concerns.

Infectious prions, such as those causing CWD, enter the environment through bodily fluids or decomposing carcasses of infected individuals and can persist for at least fifteen years in soil and water.

Previous studies have shown strong prion sorption to various mineral particles in soils.

Through field observation and laboratory experimentation, we observed that prions readily partition to the particulate fraction of environmental waters, suggesting that hydrological transport of prions is likely sediment-facilitated.

To effectively contain the spread of CWD through the environment, it is imperative to predict prion transport times and pathways in the context of specific landscape and …

Scholar articles Characterizing Hydrological Transport Pathways of Chronic Wasting Disease in the Environment

A Wille, DL Karwan, SS Lichtenberg, M Grunklee… - Water Science Conference (WaterSciCon24, 2024 Related articles

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=cVqWACIAAAAJ&cstart=20&pagesize=80&citation_for_view=cVqWACIAAAAJ:0EnyYjriUFMC

Characterizing Hydrological Transport Pathways of Chronic Wasting Disease in the Environment

Wille, Anu search by orcid.svg ; Karwan, Diana L. search by orcid.svg ; Lichtenberg, Stuart Siegfried ;Grunklee, Madeline ; Rowden, Gage ; Ferguson-Kramer, Victoria ;Schwabenlander, Marc D. ; Wolf, Tiffany M. ; Larsen, Peter A.

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2024wsc..conf11004W/abstract

https://agu.confex.com/agu/hydrology24/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/1502243

Characterizing Hydrological Transport Pathways of Chronic Wasting Disease in the Environment

Wille, Anu search by orcid ; Karwan, Diana L. search by orcid ; Lichtenberg, Stuart Siegfried ; Grunklee, Madeline ; Rowden, Gage ; Ferguson-Kramer, Victoria ; Schwabenlander, Marc D. ; Wolf, Tiffany M. ; Larsen, Peter A.

Abstract Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative prion disease found in deer, moose, and elk. Cases of CWD in Minnesota have risen considerably over the last few years, raising wildlife, environmental, and public health concerns. Infectious prions, such as those causing CWD, enter the environment through bodily fluids or decomposing carcasses of infected individuals and can persist for at least fifteen years in soil and water. Previous studies have shown strong prion sorption to various mineral particles in soils. Through field observation and laboratory experimentation, we observed that prions readily partition to the particulate fraction of environmental waters, suggesting that hydrological transport of prions is likely sediment-facilitated. To effectively contain the spread of CWD through the environment, it is imperative to predict prion transport times and pathways in the context of specific landscape and watershed conditions. Our purpose is to characterize the hydrological transport of prions through watersheds at multiple scales. Through spatial analysis, we mapped surface flow pathways from CWD hotspots in Minnesota to identify how they overlap with major rivers and regions of high soil erosion. Based on in-stream measurements and sediment characterization, we used empirical equations to predict sediment mobilization conditions and transport rates in CWD-contaminated regions with diverse flow regimes. In order to model subsurface prion transport, we began conducting flow-through column experiments testing various flow rates and soil matrices.

Publication: Water Science Conference (WaterSciCon24), held in St. Paul, Minnesota, 24-27 June 2024, Session: Learning from observations / Catchment and Critical Zone Science - Understanding Ecosystems through Monitoring, Analysis, and Experimentation III Oral (Coupled Workshop: 231), id. 110-04. Pub Date: June 2024

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2024wsc..conf11004W/abstract

New studies on the heat resistance of hamster-adapted scrapie agent: Threshold survival after ashing at 600°C suggests an inorganic template of replication

http://www.pnas.org/content/97/7/3418.full

Prion Infected Meat-and-Bone Meal Is Still Infectious after Biodiesel Production

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2493038/

Rapid assessment of bovine spongiform encephalopathy prion inactivation by heat treatment in yellow grease produced in the industrial manufacturing process of meat and bone meals

https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/1746-6148-9-134.pdf

***> hay, straw, plants, vegetables, TSE Prion uptake

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Hazard identification for the risks to terrestrial animal health from the import of hay and straw, BSE, CWD, Scrapie, TSE, Prion

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hazard-identification-for-the-risks-to-terrestrial-animal-health-from-the-import-of-hay-and-straw/hazard-identification-for-the-risks-to-terrestrial-animal-health-from-the-import-of-hay-and-straw

CWD TSE Prion, Meats

CDC CWD TSE Prion Update 2025

KEY POINTS

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

The disease hasn't been shown to infect people.

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

https://web.archive.org/web/20240617224730/https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-wasting/about/index.html

Prions in Muscles of Cervids with Chronic Wasting Disease, Norway

Volume 31, Number 2—February 2025

Research

Prions in Muscles of Cervids with Chronic Wasting Disease, Norway

Snip…

In summary, the results of our study indicate that prions are widely distributed in peripheral and edible tissues of cervids in Norway, including muscles. This finding highlights the risk of human exposure to small amounts of prions through handling and consuming infected cervids.

Appendix

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/2/24-0903-app1.pdf

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/2/24-0903_article

Volume 31, Number 2—February 2025

Dispatch

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

Snip…

Of note, our data show that exposure to high temperatures used to cook the meat increased the availability of prions for in vitro amplification. Considering the potential implications in food safety and public health, we believe that the findings described in this study warrant further research. Our results suggest that although the elk meat used in this study resisted different manipulations involved in subsequent consumption by humans, their zoonotic potential was limited. Nevertheless, even though no cases of CWD transmission to human have been reported, the potential for human infection is still unclear and continued monitoring for zoonotic potential is warranted.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/2/24-0906_article

Detection of chronic wasting disease prions in processed meats

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

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

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

Meeting-book-final-version prion 2023 Prion 2023 Congress Organizing Committee and the NeuroPrion Association, we invite you to join us for the International Conference Prion2023 from 16-20 October 2023 in Faro, Portugal.

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

DETECTION OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE PRIONS IN PROCESSED MEATS.

In this study, we analyzed different processed meats derived from a pre-clinical, CWD-positive free-ranging elk. Products tested included filets, sausages, boneless steaks, burgers, ham steaks, seasoned chili meats, and spiced meats. CWD-prion presence in these products were assessed by PMCA using deer and elk substrates. Our results show positive prion detection in all products. To confirm the resilience of CWD-prions to traditional cooking methods, we grilled and boiled the meat products and evaluated them for any remnant PMCA seeding activity. Results confirmed the presence of CWD-prions in these meat products suggesting that infectious particles may still be available to people even after cooking. Our results strongly suggest ongoing human exposure to CWD-prions and raise significant concerns of zoonotic transmission through ingestion of CWD contaminated meat products.

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

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

Our results show positive prion detection in all products.

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

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

https://intcwdsympo.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/final-agenda-with-abstracts.pdf?force_download=true

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

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

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

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

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

=====

https://intcwdsympo.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/final-agenda-with-abstracts.pdf?force_download=true

https://defrauktseprp.blogspot.com/2026/06/hazard-identification-for-risks-to.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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 09, 2026

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD and Population Declines of Cervid

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/08/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-and.html

https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/229/cwd-prion-population-declines-cervid

***> 1. 01 Determined that white-tailed deer (WTD) infected with scrapie from sheep can transmit the disease to other deer under conditions mimicking natural exposure.

https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/project/?accnNo=440677&fy=202

https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=336834

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/8/24-0007_article

cwd tse prion, cattle, pigs, sheep, primates, oh my!  Prion Conference 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prion 2023 Congress Organizing Committee and the NeuroPrion Association, we invite you to join us for the International Conference Prion2023 from 16-20 October 2023 in Faro, Portugal.

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

don’t forget the pigs, outbreak of cwd in pigs in Texas and Arkansas;

Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America Preliminary Outbreak Assessment DEFRA 26 January 2026 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Preliminary Outbreak Assessment

Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America

26 January 2026

Disease report

“They analysed over 300 brain and lymph node samples from 178 wild pigs living across Arkansas and Texas, USA…the researchers identified CWD prions in up to 37% of the lymph node samples and 15% of brain samples. The lowest detection rates were in the Texas samples (below 16%), matching the lower CWD prevalence in the state’s cervid population.”

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697a3b013c71d838df6bd413/CWD_Prions_in_Cervids_and_Wild_Pigs_in_North_America.pdf

Detection of Prions in Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) from Areas with Reported Chronic Wasting Disease Cases, United State Volume 31, Number 1—January 2025

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-0401_article

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Preliminary Outbreak Assessment

Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America

26 January 2026

Disease report

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of cervids, such as deer, elk, moose and reindeer. It is caused by prions – infectious proteins that cause normal cellular prion proteins to misfold (CIDRAP, 2025). The disease is widespread in captive and free-ranging cervids in North America (Figure 1). For the first time, CWD prions have also been detected in the tissues of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) caught in CWD-affected areas of the USA (Soto et al. 2025). This discovery emerged from a study designed to investigate potential interactions between wild pigs and CWD prions, as wild pigs often coexist with cervids, which can shed prions into the environment. The following assessment discusses the epidemiology of CWD in North America and the detection of CWD prions in wild pigs. It also considers the potential implications for Great Britain.

Conclusion

CWD has continued to spread among captive and free-ranging cervids in North America since it was first detected in the 1960s. The finding of CWD prions in wild pigs in the USA suggests they could contribute towards transmission of the disease, influencing its epidemiology, geographic distribution and interspecies spread. However, further research is needed to confirm this. CWD has never been reported in Great Britain and the current risk of CWD prions being introduced into Great Britain’s wild pig or cervid population ranges from very low to negligible.

Readers are reminded to be vigilant for signs of CWD. Information on how to spot the disease can be found here. Suspected cases must be reported immediately to the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, call 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence. We will continue to monitor the situation.

Authors • Lawrence Finn • Dr. Lauren Perrin • John Spiropoulos • Dr. Helen RobertsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

References

snip…see full report;

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697a3b013c71d838df6bd413/CWD_Prions_in_Cervids_and_Wild_Pigs_in_North_America.pdf

Detection of Prions in Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) from Areas with Reported Chronic Wasting Disease Cases, United State Volume 31, Number 1—January 2025

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-0401_article

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026

Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America Preliminary Outbreak

https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.01800-25

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-0401_article

https://media.ark.org/agri/Moore_2017_Swine_CWD.pdf

https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2026/01/chronic-wasting-disease-prions-in.html

cwd to sheep

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD vs Scrapie TSE Prion

https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=410511

Detection of infectivity in orally inoculated pigs using mouse bioassay raises the possibility that naturally exposed pigs could act as a reservoir of CWD infectivity. Currently, swine rations in the U.S. could contain animal derived components including materials from deer or elk. In addition, feral swine could be exposed to infected carcasses in areas where CWD is present in wildlife populations. The current feed ban in the U.S. is based exclusively on keeping tissues from TSE infected cattle from entering animal feeds. These results indicating the susceptibility of pigs to CWD, coupled with the limitations of the current feed ban, indicates that a revision of the feed ban may be necessary to protect swine production and potentially human health.

https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=353091

https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/project/?accnNo=432011&fy=2017

https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=337105

https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=326166

Research Project: Elucidating the Pathobiology and Transmission of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

Location: Virus and Prion Research

Title: Differentiation of scrapie from chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer

Accomplishments

1. 01 Determined that white-tailed deer (WTD) infected with scrapie from sheep can transmit the disease to other deer under conditions mimicking natural exposure. It has long been suggested that prion disease in deer (chronic wasting disease (CWD)) was caused by the prion agent from sheep. The prion disease that affects sheep, scrapie, has been recognized for hundreds of years. However, chronic wasting disease, a similar disease found in WTD, has only been recognized since the 1960s. ARS researchers in Ames, Iowa, showed that white-tailed deer sick with scrapie from sheep can infect other deer under conditions mimicking natural exposure. Furthermore, this work shows that CWD is difficult to differentiate from WTD infected with scrapie. WTD scrapie prions accumulate in the lymphoreticular system in a manner similar to CWD, meaning that environmental contamination may occur through feces, saliva, and other body fluids of scrapie affected WTD as has been shown for CWD. The presence of WTD infected with scrapie could confound mitigation efforts for chronic wasting disease. This information informs regulatory officials, the farmed cervid industry, and officials tasked with protecting animal health such as state Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, or Parks and Wildlife with regard to a disease similar to CWD but arising from sheep scrapie that could be present in WTD that have contact with scrapie affected sheep and/or goats.

https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/project/?accnNo=440677&fy=202

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026

Limited transmission of cervid prions to nonhuman primates provides insights into the zoonotic potential of chronic wasting disease

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aeb7613

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/05/limited-transmission-of-cervid-prions.html

https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/220/limited-transmission-cervid-nonhuman-primates

Cervid CWD TSE PrP Transmission to Humans, has it already happened and being masked as sporadic CJD, What if? July 2026 Review

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/07/cervid-cwd-tse-prp-transmission-to.html

https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/224/cervid-transmission-humans-july-review

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion, Economical, Environmental, Zoonotic, Risk Factors 2026

https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2026/02/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse-prion.html

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

For all you …folks, that keep saying deer don’t die form CWD, or it's a Government conspiracy?

here’s your sign…

“The deer was found dead by a landowner and was severely emaciated.”

CWD-POSITIVE DETECTED IN CARBON COUNTY

February 12, 2025

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Game Commission today announced an additional CWD-positive deer has been detected in the northeastern part of the state.

The deer, an adult male, was detected in Packer Township, Carbon County. This detection is the first in Carbon County and is more than 10 miles from any other confirmed CWD-positive deer. The deer was found dead by a landowner and was severely emaciated.

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/newsroom/pheasants-to-be-released-next-week/cwd-positive-detected-in-carbon-county.html

Ever seen a dead deer from Cwd?

That dog don’t hunt!

First chronic wasting disease case confirmed in Spokane County

SPOKANE- Washington’s first case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been confirmed in an adult female white-tailed deer that was found dead in the Fairwood area of north Spokane.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/first-chronic-wasting-disease-case-confirmed-spokane-county

Case of Chronic Wasting Disease found in dead deer at Breckinridge County farm Oct 14, 2024 Updated Oct 14, 2024 The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife said Monday that a case of the disease was found in a dead deer from a Breckinridge County deer farm. This is Kentucky's first case of CWD in a captive group of deer, the department said in a news release.

https://www.wdrb.com/news/case-of-chronic-wasting-disease-found-in-dead-deer-at-breckinridge-county-farm/article_e874f26c-8a95-11ef-b4fb-2f583a5d3105.html

Oklahoma CIMARRON COUNTY SSA ENLARGED AFTER CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CONFIRMED IN DEAD DEER

https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/outdoor-news/cimarron-county-ssa-enlarged-after-chronic-wasting-disease-confirmed-dead-deer

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirms the first positive test result for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a wild deer in Waushara County. The deer was found dead in early February in the town of Wautoma and is within 10 miles of the Marquette and Portage county borders.

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/newsroom/release/91086

Ever see a dead deer from Cwd?

CWD, Seeing is believing Videos Part 1, Part 2

The below video series is provided by the Mississippi State Deer Lab with many contributing Partners. Click image to find all videos in the series.

Seeing is Believing is a two part documentary film that hopes to increase awareness about chornic wasting disease (CWD). Although most hunters and landowners may never witness a clinically ill animal in an area with high CWD prevalence, the documentary demonstrates how CWD is certainly present, explains why it is a major concern, and how stakeholders are key to managing the disease. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) developed these films in partnership with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and multiple private conservation organizations.

CWD Seeing is believing part 1 Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvDTHEwnmO8

CWD Seeing is believing part 2 Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbaYYLWewNg

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation - CWD Informational Video

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Wildlife-in-Wyoming/More-Wildlife/Wildlife-Disease/CWD-in-Wyoming-Wildlife/CWD-Videos-Learn-all-about-CWD

https://web.archive.org/web/20240229085226/https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Wildlife-in-Wyoming/More-Wildlife/Wildlife-Disease/CWD-in-Wyoming-Wildlife/CWD-Videos-Learn-all-about-CWD

Cwd videos

15 minute mark video shows sick deer with cwd, and this deer DIED FROM CWD, IT'S DOCUMENTED, commentator says ''so if anyone every tells you, that a deer has never died from CWD, think of this picture, because the Wisconsin Veterinary Lab told us, what when they looked at her sample under a microscope, she was the hottest animal they had ever seen, and that's in terms of the fluorescents that comes off the slide when the look at it, so, a lot of Prion in her system.''

''SCENTS AND LURES, we know that the Prion is shed in urine, and essentially the production of these products is unregulated, we have no idea, you can't tell where they come from, what species are in them, how many animals, how they are processed, there is really no rules about them, so we are concerned it is a way to bring the disease into new areas, and have us fighting on multiple fronts, AND there are zero risk synthetic options that are readily available in stores, so we have ask hunters to switch to zero risk options.''

see much more about 2 hours long...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3CAI-EwlgM&t=922s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3CAI-EwlgM

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

Texas symposium Cwd

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nsX4MUWX_d8

Texas Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion 1,393 Confirmed Cases To Date July 2026

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/07/texas-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse.html

https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/225/texas-cwd-prion-confirmed-date

Arkansas Cwd

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OWpyhEu77hw

Wyoming Cwd 2022 test results

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cy_CDnNKQSE

key takeaways ;

CWD substantially reduces deer survival rates and suppresses population growth.

Where CWD prevalence is high, deer populations are likely declining. 

If CWD continues to spread, it will eventually impact deer populations elsewhere.

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/research/projects/dpp/StudyResults

***> Captive CWD Indemnity Program or Entitlement Program? <***

***> CWD money grab you say, who’s getting paid?

The funding opportunity was open to State departments of agriculture; State animal health agencies; State departments of wildlife or natural resources; Federally Recognized Native American Tribal governments; Native American Tribal organizations or universities representing Federally Recognized Tribes; and research institutions and universities.

Eligible applicants were permitted to submit multiple proposals, with each proposal requesting up to $250,000 for activities aimed at controlling or preventing CWD in farmed cervids.

i These awards include indemnity funds for the removal of CWD-positive or -exposed animals.

ii Noncompetitively awarded using declined funds. $130,717ii $6

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-cwd-receipient-summaries.pdf

Chronic Wasting Disease in Cervids; Payment of Indemnity A Rule by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on 02/08/2002

Amount of Indemnity Payments and Conditions for Receiving Indemnity

Subject to the availability of funding, the amount of indemnity payments for eligible animals will be determined by appraisal, with the indemnity payment set at 95 percent of the appraised value, with a cap on payments of $3,000 per animal. CWD positive herds will be appraised by an APHIS official appraiser and a State official appraiser jointly, or, if APHIS and State authorities agree that both appraisers are not needed for a given situation, by either a State official appraiser or an APHIS official appraiser alone. The appraised value of the cervids will be their fair market value as determined by the meat or breeding value of the animals. Animals may be appraised in groups, provided that where appraisal is by the head, each animal in the group is the same value per head, and where appraisal is by the pound, each animal in the group is the same value per pound.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2002/02/08/02-3081/chronic-wasting-disease-in-cervids-payment-of-indemnity

Displaying title 9, up to date as of 8/13/2026. Title 9 was last amended 7/20/2026.

Subpart A—Chronic Wasting Disease Indemnification Program

§ 55.2 Payment of indemnity.

The Administrator is authorized to pay for the purchase and destruction of CWD positive animals, CWD exposed animals, and CWD suspect animals. Subject to available funding, the amount of the Federal payment for any such animals will be 95 percent of the appraised value established in accordance with § 55.3 of this part, but the Federal payment shall not exceed $3,000 per animal. If a non-Federal source makes a payment for an animal for which a Federal indemnity is paid, and the non-Federal payment exceeds 5 percent of the appraised value established in accordance with § 55.3 of this part, the amount of the Federal payment for any such animals will be reduced by the amount by which the non-Federal payment exceeds 5 percent of the appraised value. The Administrator is also authorized to reimburse State governments or State animal health agencies for payments they make for the purchase and destruction, on or after October 1, 2001, of CWD positive animals, CWD exposed animals, and CWD suspect animals, and for State expenditures for associated carcass disposal and cleaning and disinfection costs resulting from such purchase and destruction, in accordance with cooperative agreements signed by the Administrator and the duly authorized agent of the State.§ 55.3 Appraisal and destruction of captive cervids.

snip…see;

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-9/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-55/subpart-A

USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE 2025-2014 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD TSE CERVID

2025 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

In 2023, eight percent of the farmed cervids in the HCP were tested for CWD at APHIS and State laboratories.

Of the 303,242 farmed cervids tested in 2023, APHIS confirmed 22 new CWD positive farmed cervid herds.

APHIS provided Federal indemnity to depopulate one of the newly identified positive herds and approved an indemnity payment for a second positive herd which will be provided in 2024 once depopulation occurs. The remaining infected herds are under State quarantines.

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/22-APHIS-2025-ExNotes.pdf

2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

Cervids

In 2022, 7 percent of the 285,589 farmed cervids in the HCP participating states were tested for CWD at State and APHIS laboratories.

APHIS confirmed 23 new CWD positive farmed cervid herds.

APHIS provided Federal indemnity to depopulate nine of the newly identified positive herds in 2022. The remaining infected herds are under State quarantines. APHIS determines the use of Federal indemnity payments within the CWD program on a case-by-case basis.

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/23-2024-APHIS.pdf

2023 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

Cervids

Currently, 28 States participate in the national CWD HCP. In FY 2021, more than 20,502 farmed cervids were tested for CWD at State and APHIS laboratories.

As a result, APHIS identified 35 new CWD positive farmed cervid herds.

APHIS provided Federal indemnity to depopulate nine of the newly identified deer herds in FY 2021. The remaining infected herds are under State quarantines. APHIS determines the use of Federal indemnity payments within the CWD program on a case-by-case basis.

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/23-2023-APHIS.pdf

2022 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

Cervids

Currently, 28 States participate in the national CWD HCP. In FY 2020, more than 11,182 farmed cervids were tested for CWD at State and APHIS laboratories.

As a result, APHIS identified 22 new CWD positive farmed cervid herds.

APHIS provided Federal indemnity to depopulate 15 of the 22 newly identified deer herds in FY 2020.

Four additional farmed cervid herds that were identified as CWD positive herds in FY 2019, were indemnified in FY 2020.

The remaining infected herds are under State quarantines.

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/22APHIS2022Notes.pdf

2021 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

In FY 2019 APHIS tested more than 11,000 farmed cervids for CWD.

As a result, APHIS identified 17 new CWD positive farmed cervid herds.

APHIS provided Federal indemnity to depopulate 7 of the 17 newly identified deer herds in FY 2019. The remaining infected herds found in FY 2019 are under State quarantines.

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/20aphis2021notes.pdf

2020 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

Cervids

In FY 2018, APHIS identified 15 new CWD positive farmed cervid herds (14 deer herds and 1 reindeer herd).

The reindeer herd in Illinois was the first confirmed case of CWD in a reindeer in North America.

APHIS provided Federal indemnity to depopulate seven of the 15 newly identified deer herds in FY 2018.

The Agency also provided funding for the test and removal of 161 high risk animals that were in close proximity to reactors.

The remaining herds in FY 2018 are under State quarantines.

The Agency determines the use of Federal indemnities within the CWD program on a case-by-case basis. 20-59

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/20aphis2020notes.pdf

2019 President’s Budget Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Cervids

APHIS’ voluntary national CWD Herd Certification Plan (HCP) helps States, Tribes, and the cervid industry control CWD in farmed cervids by allowing the interstate movement only from certified herds.

Currently, 28 States participate in the national CWD HCP and the program tested 23,053 farmed cervids for CWD.

In FY 2017, eight new CWD positive farmed corvid herds were identified– one white-tail deer in Iowa, one white-tail deer herd in Minnesota, one white-tail and mule deer herd in Minnesota, one white-tail and sika deer herd in Michigan, three white-tail deer herds in Pennsylvania, and one white-tail deer herd in Texas.

APHIS provided Federal indemnity to depopulate the Iowa herd, the white-tail deer herd in Minnesota, one herd in Pennsylvania and the Texas herd. The State depopulated the Michigan herd. The remaining herds are under State quarantines. One Texas herd used Federal indemnity to remove and test select, high-risk animals to inform the epidemiological investigation and to evaluate the performance of ante-mortem tests.

The Agency determines the use of Federal indemnities within the CWD program on a case-by-case basis.

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/20aphis2019notes.pdf

2018 President’s Budget Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Cervids

APHIS’ voluntary national CWD Herd Certification Plan (HCP) helps States, Tribes, and the cervid industry control CWD in farmed cervids by allowing the interstate movement only from certified herds considered to be low risk.

Currently, 29 States participate in the national CWD HCP.

In FY 2016, the program tested 14,503 farmed cervids for CWD and identified seven new CWD positive farmed cervid herds – two white-tail deer herds in Texas, three white-tail deer herds in Wisconsin, one elk herd in Colorado and one elk herd in Iowa. The elk herd in Colorado was depopulated without Federal indemnity and the rest of the herds are under State quarantines. One Texas herd used Federal indemnity to remove and test select animals to inform the epidemiological investigation and to evaluate 20-72 the performance of ante-mortem tests.

The use of Federal indemnities within the CWD program is determined on a case-by-case basis. APHIS is also conducting several pilot projects related to new technologies. In FY 2016, the Agency

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/20aphisexnotes2018.pdf

2017 Explanatory Notes Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Cervids

APHIS’ voluntary national CWD Herd Certification Plan (HCP) helps States, Tribes, and the cervid industry control CWD in farmed cervids by allowing the interstate movement only from certified herds considered to be low risk.

Currently, 30 States participate in the national CWD HCP: 29 have Approved Status and 1 has Provisional Approved Status. States that meet the CWD HCP requirements have Approved Status and States that do not meet CWD HCP program requirements but have developed a work plan and time frame with APHIS to complete those requirements have Provisional Approved Status.

In FY 2015, the program tested approximately 20,000 farmed cervids for CWD and identified eight new CWD positive farmed white-tailed deer herds – one in Utah, one in Pennsylvania, two in Ohio, two in Wisconsin, and two in Texas.

APHIS depopulated five of these herds (Pennsylvania, Utah, and one each in Wisconsin, Texas, and Ohio). Six elk herds in Colorado, four elk herds in Nebraska, one white-tailed deer herd in Wisconsin and one white-tailed deer herd in Texas remained in quarantine at the end of FY 2015.

APHIS also provided indemnity for and was the lead agency for the depopulation and disposal of four large CWD infected farmed cervid herds in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Utah, and Texas. In cooperation with the National Agricultural Statistics Service, APHIS conducted the first national study of the U.S. farmed-cervid industry in FY 2015. The study provides baseline industry statistics, a description of production practices and challenges, producer-reported disease occurrences, and an overview of health management and biosecurity practices.

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/20aphis2017notes.pdf

2016 Explanatory Notes Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

In FY 2014, the program tested approximately 20,000 farmed cervids for CWD.

Two new CWD positive farmed white-tailed deer herds were identified – one in Pennsylvania and one in Wisconsin.

The program depopulated the PA herd and two additional CWD positive herds in quarantine since FY 2012 in Iowa (white-tailed deer herd) and Minnesota (red deer herd).

Six elk herds in Colorado, four elk herds in Nebraska, and one white-tailed deer in Wisconsin remained in quarantine at the end of FY 2014.

There also are numerous CWD exposed herds that are epidemiologically linked to CWD positive herds that remain in State quarantine pending completion of the epidemiology investigations.

snip…

APHIS provided indemnity for and was the lead agency for the depopulation and disposal of two large CWD infected farmed cervid herds in Iowa and Minnesota.

APHIS also provided indemnity for and assisted with the 20-80 appraisal and depopulation of a CWD infected farmed cervid herd in Pennsylvania.

APHIS also provided assistance to States with outbreak investigation, assessment of risk posed by infected or exposed animals, development of herd plans and continues to develop strategies for the purpose of controlling and managing CWD in farmed cervids.

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/20aphis2016notes.pdf

2015 Explanatory Notes Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

In FY 2013, the program tested approximately 18,100 farmed cervids for CWD, a fatal, degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system and lymphoid system of cervids. Through this routine surveillance, no new CWD cases were reported in farmed cervids in FY 2013. The last CWD positive herd was reported in FY 2012 in an Iowa white tail deer herd. Twelve positive herds remain (seven elk herds in Colorado, three elk herds in Nebraska, one white tail deer herd in Iowa, and one red deer herd in Minnesota).

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/20aphis2015notes.pdf

2014 Explanatory Notes Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

In 2007, the cervid industry in the United States included 5,600 deer farms and 1,900 elk farms with an economic value of $894 million that supported nearly 30,000 jobs.

APHIS’ main cervid activities are testing approximately 15,000 captive cervids for tuberculosis each year and supporting the chronic wasting disease (CWD) herd certification program (HCP). The joint tuberculosis (TB) and brucellosis proposed rule will represent significant changes to TB activities in captive cervids when implemented; it proposes to bring cervids into the regulatory program for brucellosis, as requested by stakeholders. As a result, surveillance will be enhanced and the number of captive cervids that are tested for TB annually is expected to increase. In 2014, APHIS will implement a survey to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of new APHIS regulations on the industry. Additionally, approval for a new diagnostic test for TB in captive cervids is expected to occur by FY 2013. The CWD HCP allows participating States to enroll herd owners

18-26

to meet minimum Federal standards to achieve and maintain a herd certification status. APHIS approves State applications for the national voluntary CWD herd certification program, conducts periodic reviews to ensure compliance, and supports confirmatory testing of presumptive CWD cases.

snip…

Without continued program funding, there would be a reduced preparedness, surveillance, and response to equine/cervid health issues that could increase the likelihood of disease spread resulting in larger and more serious disease outbreaks, lack of national standards leading to a patchwork of State level requirements which diminish interstate commerce, and loss in international credibility regarding U.S. animal health status.

Approximately 59 percent of the Equine and Cervid Health funding will be used for salaries and benefits, less than 1 percent for cooperative agreements and programmatic contracts, and the remaining supports normal operating costs such as travel, supplies, rent and utilities.

Reduce lower priority program activities (-$1.295 million) APHIS will reduce lower priority equine and cervid program activities in 2014, including eliminating Federal contributions for addressing CWD.

CWD is a degenerative neurological illness affecting elk and deer (cervids) in North America.

***> APHIS has determined that continued efforts to manage CWD are not practical and therefore considers this to be a low priority for the Agency.

***> On August 13, 2012, the rule that established uniform standards for a voluntary Federal-State cooperative CWD HCP and interstate movement requirements became effective. Implementation of the interstate movement of cervids was implemented in December 2012.

***> Many States have herd certification programs in place, and the incidence of CWD detections in farmed cervids is decreasing.

***> With the regulatory framework in place, continued APHIS activity, while useful, is no longer essential.

Stakeholders can continue to carry on program activities. The success of the voluntary HCP is based upon cooperation and shared responsibility among the Federal government and State and local interests. However, since these are local or regional disease spread issues, State and local governments are better positioned to take a more active role and to better anticipate and plan for local or regional needs. APHIS will continue to conduct higher priority equine and cervid health activities and address concerns when identified. APHIS will reassign staff years to other Equine and Cervid Health activities as practical and reduce the overall staff years by eliminating the positions when vacancies arise. Reduction in Agency-level operating expenses (-$66,000) A reduction of $66,000 is requested for this line item related to Agency-level cost savings measures and operating efficiencies. Please refer to second paragraph on page 18-18.

18-27

Pay Increase (+$15,000)

An increase of $15,000 for pay costs which includes $3,000 for annualization of the FY 2013 pay raise and $12,000 for the anticipated FY 2014 pay raise.

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/18aphis2014notes.pdf

***> APHIS has determined that continued efforts to manage CWD are not practical and therefore considers this to be a low priority for the Agency.

***> On August 13, 2012, the rule that established uniform standards for a voluntary Federal-State cooperative CWD HCP and interstate movement requirements became effective. Implementation of the interstate movement of cervids was implemented in December 2012.

***> Many States have herd certification programs in place, and the incidence of CWD detections in farmed cervids is decreasing.

***> With the regulatory framework in place, continued APHIS activity, while useful, is no longer essential.

***> The occurrence of CWD must be viewed against the contest of the locations in which it occurred. It was an incidental and unwelcome complication of the respective wildlife research programmes. Despite its subsequent recognition as a new disease of cervids, therefore justifying direct investigation, no specific research funding was forthcoming. The USDA viewed it as a wildlife problem and consequently not their province!” page 26.

https://web.archive.org/web/20060307063531/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/mb/m11b/tab01.pdf

***> ''The association between venison eating and risk of CJD shows similar pattern, with regular venison eating associated with a 9 FOLD INCREASE IN RISK OF CJD (p = 0.04).''

GAME FARM INDUSTRY WANTS TO COVER UP FINDINGS OF INCREASE RISK TO CJD FROM CERVID

BSE INQUIRY

CJD9/10022

October 1994

Mr R.N. Elmhirst Chairman British Deer Farmers Association Holly Lodge Spencers Lane

BerksWell Coventry CV7 7BZ

Dear Mr Elmhirst,

CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE (CJD) SURVEILLANCE UNIT REPORT

Thank you for your recent letter concerning the publication of the third annual report from the CJD Surveillance Unit. I am sorry that you are dissatisfied with the way in which this report was published.

The Surveillance Unit is a completely independant outside body and the Department of Health is committed to publishing their reports as soon as they become available. In the circumstances it is not the practice to circulate the report for comment since the findings of the report would not be amended.. In future we can ensure that the British Deer Farmers Association receives a copy of the report in advance of publication.

The Chief Medical Officer has undertaken to keep the public fully informed of the results of any research in respect of CJD. This report was entirely the work of the unit and was produced completely independantly of the the Department.

The statistical results regarding the consumption of venison was put into perspective in the body of the report and was not mentioned at all in the press release. Media attention regarding this report was low key but gave a realistic presentation of the statistical findings of the Unit. This approach to publication was successful in that consumption of venison was highlighted only once by the media ie. in the News at one television proqramme.

I believe that a further statement about the report, or indeed statistical links between CJD and consumption of venison, would increase, and quite possibly give damaging credence, to the whole issue. From the low key media reports of which I am aware it seems unlikely that venison consumption will suffer adversely, if at all.

http://web.archive.org/web/20030511010117/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1994/10/00003001.pdf

terry