Michigan Total of confirmed CWD positive deer 2015 to present is 378
Michigan Total of confirmed CWD positive deer 2015 to present is 378
Total of confirmed CWD-positive deer 2015 – present: 378
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories (non-DNR submissions) as of March 6, 2026.
Year Negative Positive Total tested
2020 272 2 274
2021 176 0 176
2022 266 8 274
2023 759 11 770
2024 1265 34 1299
2025 2066 55 2121
2026 118 1 119
Total 4922 111 5033
CWD testing results by year
Michigan cwd
Michigan cwd dashboard
“Counties with previous positive detections (378 total) of CWD in free-ranging white-tailed deer”
Michigan DNR reports Genesee County’s first CWD-positive wild deer
Sept. 24, 2025Contact: Melinda Cosgrove, laboratory scientist manager, DNR Wildlife Health Section, 517-512-9486
DNR reports Genesee County’s first CWD-positive wild deer
Genesee is now the 16th Michigan county where chronic wasting disease has been identified in the wild deer population, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. An adult doe found acting ill in Gaines Township recently tested positive for the disease.
The CWD finding was confirmed by the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which works with the DNR to identify CWD in Michigan’s wild deer herd. The sample will be sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa for secondary confirmation.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, elk and moose. To date, the disease has also been detected in the following Michigan counties: Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Ogemaw and Washtenaw.
CWD is a chronic, slow-developing disease that spreads slowly across the landscape. It can be present in new areas at very low levels, making it difficult to detect. Genesee County was under focused CWD surveillance in 2022, when approximately 300 deer were tested, with none testing positive. The DNR has continued to test deer that appear sick in Genesee County when possible.
The 2.5-year-old doe that tested positive was reported as very skinny and drinking continuously, and walked directly up to a conservation officer who responded to a public report. Public reporting of sick acting deer is one of the best tools available to the DNR for identifying CWD that may exist at low prevalence in previously undetected areas.
“We appreciate the support and cooperation of the public as they continue to report sick deer so our team can follow up with the necessary testing for confirmation,” said Brent Rudolph, DNR deer, elk and moose management specialist. “Though many reported deer turn out not to be infected, the care that’s demonstrated when people take the time to share their observations is a critical contribution to our disease-testing efforts.”
Deer that appear lethargic, disoriented, lame or unresponsive are good candidates for CWD testing, though these symptoms are characteristic of deer affected by other maladies or injuries as well. The public is encouraged to report sick deer at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField.
The DNR’s work with researchers and hunters to detect and slow the spread of CWD is possible because of limited general fund dollars allocated by the Michigan state Legislature.
Testing strategy and options for hunters
Since chronic wasting disease was first detected in wild deer in 2015, more than 110,000 deer have been tested for CWD in Michigan through a variety of efforts, including responding to public reports of sick deer and focused testing of hunter-harvested deer. In total, more than 144,000 wild deer have been tested through DNR surveillance efforts that started in 2002, with 263 CWD-positive deer identified. In addition, since direct hunter submissions of deer to MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, began in 2020, more than 3,200 submitted samples have yielded 56 additional confirmed positives.
After initial intensive testing near areas of the first CWD detections in the state, the DNR began a rotational approach to testing harvested deer in 2021. A group of counties is selected each year, with the eventual aim of testing enough deer in every Michigan county. The goal of this approach is early disease detection, as management has the potential to be most effective when the disease is caught early. This method also provides confidence that if the disease does exist in these areas but goes undetected, that it is most likely there at a very low level.
There are several testing options available to hunters, depending on their hunting location. In 2025, focused testing will continue in Baraga, Chippewa, Dickinson, Houghton, Iosco, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Ogemaw, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft counites in the Lower and Upper peninsulas. More information on CWD testing in these counties and a link to find DNR drop boxes and staffed sample submission sites are available on the CWD testing webpage.
Free self-sample submission kits have been available in limited areas for the last three years. Beginning in 2025, these kits are now available in all counties outside of the DNR bovine tuberculosis or CWD surveillance areas. Kits allow hunters to remove lymph nodes and ship them directly to the MSU VDL at no cost. Hunters can pick up a kit at a local distribution site. If hunters choose not to pick up a kit, testing is available for a fee through direct submission to a cooperating USDA-approved diagnostic laboratory.
All deer from counties with previous confirmed cases of CWD or bTB that are donated to the Hunters Feeding Michigan program also are submitted directly to the MSU VDL for testing.
Safety recommendations
To date, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that infected animals not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.
Hunters also are reminded to use caution when field-dressing or processing a deer. Hunters should wear rubber gloves, minimize contact with the deer’s brain and spinal tissue, and wash hands with soap and warm water after handling any parts of the carcass.
Proper disposal of a deer carcass is critical to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. Deer carcasses and parts should go directly to a landfill or be disposed of through regular bagged trash pickup. Deer harvested from known CWD areas should never be disposed of on the landscape.
For more information on chronic wasting disease, visit Michigan.gov/CWD
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/3f406bb
“In total, more than 144,000 wild deer have been tested through DNR surveillance efforts that started in 2002, with 263 CWD-positive deer identified. In addition, since direct hunter submissions of deer to MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, began in 2020, more than 3,200 submitted samples have yielded 56 additional confirmed positives.”
Michigan DNR makes chronic wasting disease test kits available for free
WCMU | By Brianna Edgar Published September 22, 2025 at 5:52 PM EDT
https://radio.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-09-22/dnr-makes-chronic-wasting-disease-test-kits-available-across-michigan
I strenuously urge all Hunters to have your Cervid tested for CWD, Before Consuming!
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025
Michigan 2024 CWD Results
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/05/michigan-2024-cwd-results.html
Michigan Captive CWD Herds
Michigan Captice CWD 2026, so far
4/27/2026 4 YR Male MI Kent WTD Breeder Yes No 19 Quarantine
2/20/2026 2.75 YR Male MI Calhoun WTD Breeder Yes Yes 24 Quarantine
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America APRIL 11, 2025
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 11/1/2025 ukn TX Limestone WTD Hunt No No 132 Quarantine
10/27/2025 3 YR Male WI Richland WTD Breeder Yes Yes ukn Depopulated
10/9/2025 2 YR Female TX Duvall WTD Breeder No No 94+ Quarantine
10/9/2025 2 YR Male PA Franklin WTD Breeder No No 23 Quarantine
Updated April 2026 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CASES
10/8/2025 3.5 YR Male PA Huntingdon WTD Hobby No No 2 Quarantine
10/8/2025 3 YR Male WI Portage WTD Fallow Hunt No No 132 Quarantine
9/26/2025 8.5 YR Female TX Navaro WTD Breeder No No 650 Quarantine
9/16/2025 3 YR Female PA Dauphin WTD Breeder Yes Yes 85 Quarantine
9/5/2025 3 YR Male TX Duvall WTD Breeder No No 107+ Quarantine
8/6/2025 Adult Female PA Fulton WTD Breeder No No 14 Quarantine
7/21/2025 4 YR Female PA Bedford WTD Breeder No No 34 Quarantine
6/3/2025 11 YR Female PA Blair WTD Breeder No No 45 Quarantine
6/3/2025 8 YR Female PA Bedford WTD Breeder No No 6 Quarantine
5/16/2025 5.5 YR Female WI Rock WTD Breeder No No ~46 Quarantine
5/14/2025 3 YR Female UT Weber Elk Hunt No No ukn Quarantine
4/30/2025 4.5 YR Male PA Jefferson WTD Hunt No No 36 Depopulated
Updated April 2026 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CASES
4/18/2025 10+ YR Ukn TX Zavala WTD Hunt No No 190 Quarantine
4/9/2025 6 YR Male MI Montcalm WTD Breeder No No 86 Quarantine
3/28/2025 3.5 YR Male PA Huntingdon WTD Hobby No No 2 Quarantine
3/28/2025 3.5 YR Female PA Wayne Red Deer Hunt No no 31 Depopulated
2/26/2025 1.5 YR Male TX Kauffman WTD Breeder Yes Yes 400 Quarantine
2/26/2025 3.5 Yr Male PA Lancaster WTD Breeder Yes Yes 105 Quarantine
2/21/2025 4 YR Male CO Montrose Elk Hunt No No 97 Quarantine
2/21/2025 7 YR Female MI Osceola WTD Hunt No No 201 Quarantine
2/10/2025 3.5 YR Male PA Perry WTD Hunt No No 15 Quarantine
1/7/2025 4 YR Female CO Mesa Elk Hunt No No 217 Quarantine
1/7/2025 2 YR Male UT Duchesne Elk Hunt No No 0 No animals
12/30/2024 4 YR Female ID Jefferson Elk Breeder No No 197 Quarantine
Updated April 2026
Updated March 2026
Michigan Captive CWD 2025 annual report
CWD: Tested 1,484 privately-owned cervids to provide for early detection of infected individuals, which reduces the spread of disease
APPENDIX A: 2025 REPORTABLE DISEASES
***> CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) Cervid 2 Herds
MDARD - Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in a Farmed White-Tailed Deer from Osceola County March 11, 2025 ... (MDARD) is reporting the detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a farmed white-tailed deer from ... is a progressive, fatal neurological disease that affects different cervid species, ... Source: Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
MDARD - Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in a Farmed White-Tailed Deer from Osceola County March 11, 2025
Michgan Captive CWD 2024
Number of farmed deer tested for chronic wasting disease surveillance 1,730 1,992
CWD Herds ???
see;
10/17/2024 10 YR Female MI Montcalm WTD Breeder No No ukn Quarantine
Michigan Captive CWD 2023
CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) Cervid 4 Herds
Michigan Captive CWD 2022
CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) Caprine 2 Cervid 1 Herd
ARTICLE MDARD - Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in Two Farmed Elk from Kent County November 18, 2021 ... , MI – Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) confirmed two cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in elk from a farmed cervid facility in Kent County. Source: Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
MDARD - CWD Confirmed at Farmed Deer Facilities in Mecosta and Montcalm Counties August 11, 2021 ... MI - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has confirmedtwo cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) at two separate farmed deer facilities, one in Mecosta County ... Source: Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
MDARD - Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible neurological disease found in deer, moose, reindeer/ ... belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies ( ... Source: Department of Agriculture & Rural Development https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/animals/cervids/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-surveillance
Michigan 2024 CWD Results This table represents the CWD testing summary of deer harvested/collected in 2024. Totals reflected in this update, current as of 4/5/2025, only include those with final test results. Deer with pending results are not included in these totals.
Zone/County Total Tested # Positive
Antrim 322 0
Arenac 368 0
Baraga 13 0
Benzie 131 0
Cheboygan 164 0
Chippewa 178 0
Clare 145 0
Dickinson 143 0
Gladwin 258 0
Grand Traverse 141 0
Houghton 71 0
Iosco 186 0
Kalkaska 37 0
Keweenaw 15 0
Leelanau 154 0
Luce 32 0
Mackinac 58 0
Manistee 324 0
Ogemaw 355 0
Ontonagon 5 0
Otsego 124 0
Schoolcraft 34 0
z—Total 3258 0
Total Tested # Positive
Remainder of State* 1208 7
Statewide Total for 2024** 4466 7
**Certain deer not included in totals (e.g., insufficient samples, fawns, missing gender/age). With those and pending results included, statewide total = 4,484
Michigan CWD History chart
Michigan Captive Cervid
MDARD - CWD Confirmed at Farmed Deer Facilities in Mecosta and Montcalm Counties August 11, 2021
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. ... More information about CWD can be found at Michigan.gov/CWD or Michigan.gov/MDARD-Cervid.
Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in Two Farmed Elk from Kent County November 18, 2021
Date of Index Case Confirmation Index Case State County Species Herd Type HCP Enrolled HCP Certified Number of Animals Herd Status
4/9/2025 6 YR Male MI Montcalm WTD Breeder No No 86 Quarantine
2/21/25 7 YR Female MI Osceola WTD Hunt No No 201 Quarantine
As of December 8, 2023, CWD was confirmed in privately-owned cervid facilities from the following counties: Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Newaygo.
Michigan
Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report
Appendix A: 2023 Reportable Diseases
LIVESTOCK DISEASES:
Disease Species Number of Animals
CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) Cervid 4 Herds
Page 2
Michigan DNR reports Ogemaw County’s first CWD-positive deer in Klacking Township, Ogemaw County
Oct. 31, 2023
Contact: Chad Stewart, 517-282-4810
DNR reports Ogemaw County’s first CWD-positive deer; hunters in north-central part of county encouraged to check deer A 4-year-old doe that was reported to be in poor condition – skinny, drooling and showing no fear of people – in Klacking Township, Ogemaw County, recently tested positive for chronic wasting disease. It is the first CWD-positive wild deer from that county, a finding confirmed by the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Madison, which works with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to identify CWD in Michigan’s wild herd.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, elk and moose. To date, the disease also has been detected in the following Michigan counties: Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Midland and Montcalm.
“When we find chronic wasting disease in a brand-new location, where previous intensive surveillance has not yet been done, it becomes extremely important for wildlife disease managers to understand where additional cases might be within that county,” said DNR deer and elk specialist Chad Stewart. “In light of this new detection, we are offering additional opportunities for those interested in getting their deer tested for CWD in Ogemaw County.”
A drop box for CWD testing will be available at the Rifle River Recreation Area headquarters, located at 2550 Rose City Road in Lupton, starting Friday, Nov. 3. The check station typically operated at the DNR field office located at 410 Fairview Road in West Branch will be open Nov. 15-30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The field office will be closed Nov. 23-24 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Self-service test kits, typically available in other locations where CWD has been identified, will not be available in Ogemaw County due to concerns of bovine tuberculosis disease transmission in the county.
Stewart said that CWD is not common among deer in Michigan, and the hunting community can continue to play a key role in assisting the department in disease-testing efforts.
“The DNR sets surveillance goals – basically, a number of deer tested in a particular area – to understand the scale of infection in the local deer herd,” he said. “The closer we come to meeting these goals, the more data we have to identify where and to what extent chronic wasting disease exists in Michigan. Strong hunter participation in testing is critical to that learning, especially in areas where we haven’t yet met surveillance goals.”
Testing background, strategy In addition to testing around areas of known CWD positives, the DNR in 2021 began a rotational approach to testing around the state. A group of counties is selected each year, with the eventual aim of testing enough deer in every Michigan county.
The goal of this approach is early disease detection, as management has the potential to be most effective when the disease is caught early. Most of these areas have not had a CWD detection or have not previously been part of intensive testing efforts, so little is known about disease status or pathways in these locations. In 2021 and 2022, the rotational approach focused testing in areas of both the southwestern and southeastern Lower Peninsula.
This year, testing will focus on the northwestern Lower Peninsula and a few counties in other areas where additional herd information is still needed. The focal counties for 2023 CWD testing include Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Hillsdale, Isabella, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford. These counties will have CWD testing drop boxes, staffed submission sites, and partner processors and taxidermists to assist with collection efforts.
In the rest of the state, testing is available through direct submission by hunters to a cooperating U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved diagnostic laboratory for a fee or through free self-sample shipping kits in counties where CWD has previously been detected.
Since CWD was first detected in 2015, over 103,000 deer have been tested for CWD in Michigan. There have been over 137,000 wild deer tested in total. The Ogemaw County deer is the Department’s 251st positive animal.
To date, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that infected animals not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.
Hunters also are reminded to use caution when field-dressing or processing a deer. This includes practices such as wearing rubber gloves, minimizing contact with the deer’s brain and spinal tissue, and washing your hands with soap and warm water after handling any parts of the carcass.
Proper disposal of a deer carcass is critical to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease. Deer carcasses should go directly to a landfill or be disposed of through your regular trash pickup to be taken to a landfill. Deer harvested from known CWD areas should never be disposed of on the landscape in non-CWD areas.
For more information on chronic wasting disease, visit Michigan.gov/CWD.
MDARD: Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in a Farmed White-Tailed Deer from Newaygo County Michigan
Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development sent this bulletin at 05/02/2023 11:15 AM EDT
For immediate release: May 2, 2023 Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724 or Chelsea Lewis, 517-331-1151
MDARD: Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in a Farmed White-Tailed Deer from Newaygo County LANSING, MI –The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in one white-tailed deer from a farmed cervid facility in Newaygo County. The infected four-and-a-half-year-old deer was discovered through routine testing as part of the state’s CWD surveillance program for farmed deer.
“Limiting the spread and impact of CWD on Michigan’s farmed cervid herds hinges on the ability to detect the disease early and respond promptly,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland. “While regular CWD surveillance testing is central to accomplishing this goal, MDARD’s continued partnership with herd owners, hunters, and other state and federal partners is also crucial to effectively managing this disease. Ensuring the health of Michigan’s farmed cervid population is a team effort.”
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects different cervid species, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. CWD can be transmitted directly from one animal to another and indirectly through the environment. While an infected animal may appear healthy for months or years, it will eventually display abnormal behavior, progressive weight loss, and physical debilitation in the later stages of the disease.
The presence of CWD in farmed cervid facilities and free-ranging deer is not new to Michigan. Since 2008, including this new case, CWD has been detected at 11 Michigan cervid farms in the following counties: Kent (2), Mecosta (4), Montcalm (3), and Newaygo (2).
With free-ranging deer, CWD was first discovered in May 2015; and cases have been found across 11 counties in Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. To date, no free-ranging white-tailed deer have tested positive for CWD in Newaygo County.
As part of MDARD’s disease response, investigations are ongoing to rule out any possible exposure to other farmed cervids.
Currently, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. However, as a precaution, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that CWD-infected animals should not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.
More information about CWD can be found at Michigan.gov/CWD or Michigan.gov/MDARD-Cervid.
###
Michigan MDARD: Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in a Farmed White-Tailed Deer from Newaygo County
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CASESCWD STATUS OF CAPTIVE HERDS
Updated January 2023
4/19/2022 3 YR Female MI Mecosta WTD Shooter No No 275 Quarantine
11/4/2021 2, 3 Y Male MI Kent Elk Breeder Yes Yes 0 Depopulated
7/15/2021 4 Y Female MI Montcalm WTD Breeder No No 109 Quarantine
4/18/2021 2.5 Y Male MI WTD Shooter No No ukn Quarantine
3/3/2021 4 Y Male MI Montcalm WTD Shooter No NA 14 Quarantine
12/2019 3, 4.5 Y Males MI Newaygo WTD Shooter No No >600 Quarantine
4/2019 2.5 Y Female MI Montcalm WTD Breeder No NA 113 Depopulated
12/2017 1.5 Y Female MI Mecosta WTD Breeder Yes Yes 525 Quarantined
1/2017 2Y Female MI Mecosta WTD & Sika deer Shooter No NA 71 Depopulated
Michigan Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Totals Since 2015 To Present 242 Confirmed Cases
Total tested and number of positives
Area Total Tested # Positive
Remainder of State* 954 6
Statewide Total for 2023** 1386 7
*These positive deer came from Gratiot (4), Jackson (1) and Midland (1) counties.
**Certain deer are not included (e.g., insufficient samples, fawns, missing gender/age) with those included, statewide total = 1693
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023
Michigan Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Totals Since 2015 To Present 242 Confirmed Cases
Michigan CWD 2023
see page two link at the bottom;
Michigan 2022 captive CWD Herds Positive 1
Michigan MDARD: Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in a Farmed White-Tailed Deer from Mecosta County
For immediate release: May 9, 2022 Media contact: Chelsea Lewis, 517-331-1151 or Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724
MDARD: Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in a Farmed White-Tailed Deer from Mecosta County
LANSING, MI – Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in one white-tailed deer from a farmed cervid facility in Mecosta County. The infected three-year-old deer was discovered through routine testing as part of the state’s CWD surveillance program for farmed deer.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects different cervid species, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. The disease can be transmitted directly from one animal to another and indirectly through the environment. While an infected animal may appear healthy for months or years, it will eventually display abnormal behavior, progressive weight loss, and physical debilitation in the later stages of the disease.
“MDARD is committed to limiting the spread and impact of this disease. CWD surveillance testing plays an integral part in accomplishing this goal because it helps us to detect and respond to the disease promptly,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland. “In addition, our continued partnership with farmed cervid owners, hunters, and other state and federal partners is also essential to ensure the health of Michigan’s farmed deer population.”
The presence of CWD in farmed cervid facilities and free-ranging deer is not new to Michigan. Since 2008, including this new case, CWD has been detected at 10 Michigan cervid farms in the following counties: Kent (2), Mecosta (4), Montcalm (3), and Newaygo.
With free-ranging deer, CWD was first discovered in May 2015; and cases have been found across nine counties in Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. To date, no free-ranging white-tailed deer have tested positive for CWD in Mecosta County.
As part of MDARD’s disease response, investigations are ongoing to rule out any possible exposure to other farmed cervids.
Currently, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend that CWD-infected animals should not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.
More information about CWD can be found at Michigan.gov/CWD or Michigan.gov/MDARD-Cervid.
###
Michigan’s 2021 deer seasons included targeted CWD surveillance, 25 positive deer
April 14, 2022
Hunters encouraged to share harvest results via online survey
Buck walking through lush green forest
Though Michigan’s 2021 deer hunting seasons ended in late January 2022, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is continuing to accept feedback from hunters about their experiences. Hunter harvest surveys have been sent to a random sample of the state’s deer hunters. In addition, hunters can take a brief online survey. Final harvest survey results will be presented later this summer.
Initial data from Michigan’s 2021 deer hunting seasons – including chronic wasting disease testing results and deer license sales information – was presented at Thursday’s meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Lansing, with highlights shared below.
A shift in CWD testing
The DNR has finalized its 2021 surveillance efforts for chronic wasting disease, ultimately testing just over 7,200 deer. The more targeted testing goals are part of the department’s new region-by-region strategy aimed at detecting new outbreaks rather than revisiting known ones.
“We want to thank hunters for their cooperation in helping us meet our CWD surveillance goals,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger. “Strategic testing for chronic wasting disease is of primary importance for the department, and we couldn’t meet these goals without the committed assistance of deer hunters.”
Eichinger also praised the work of deer processors, taxidermists and local businesses that help collect samples for testing, and other key partners who provide necessary assistance to the department.
In all, 25 CWD-positive deer were confirmed in 2021. Three cases of CWD were detected in Isabella County, which represents a new county where the disease has been found. (Since Michigan’s first confirmation of a CWD-positive wild deer in 2015, CWD has been detected in white-tailed deer in Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent and Montcalm counties.)
Doe walking through late summer forest “It was not unexpected to find positive cases in Isabella County, as these detections were fairly close to where we’ve identified cases in Montcalm and northern Gratiot County,” said DNR deer and elk specialist Chad Stewart. “Our main areas of infection remain in parts of Montcalm and northeast Kent counties, as well as southern Jackson County, where we knew CWD existed going into the 2021 hunting season.”
Despite the department’s finding of 25 positive animals last year, Stewart cautioned against comparing the low number of positives with the high number of deer tested and concluding there is not a problem.
“The distribution of our samples greatly affects the number of positives we expect to find. Intensive collection of samples in known CWD locations like Montcalm and Kent counties would certainly lead to a high number of positives being detected,” he said. “Our goal this year was to begin to understand what CWD looks like in areas that are historically under-sampled, and we made a lot of strides on that front.”
Stewart said that chronic wasting disease is going to be a problem for parts of Michigan’s deer herd in the future: “Once it becomes established, it is unlikely that we can reverse course on the disease. Prevention and early detection remain our best options for CWD management.”
Hunter walking across plain while sun shines brightly CWD surveillance moving forward
For Michigan’s 2021 deer seasons, the DNR started a multiyear process of strategic, focused CWD surveillance in regions around the state. Last year’s surveillance occurred mainly in the three tiers of counties near the Ohio border. Over the next few years, the remainder of the state will be systematically sampled to determine if CWD is present in other areas where it hasn’t yet been identified.
Hunter numbers
While there was a temporary rise in hunter numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic, participation is declining in Michigan. The trend is not new, nor is it only being observed here. States across the country are feeling the financial pressure of reduced hunter numbers, because sales of hunting licenses comprise a large portion of the funding for critical conservation work.
“Nationwide, hunting has seen a gradual decline over the last several decades,” said Eichinger. “The trend is likely due to a combination of factors including generations of hunters who are aging out of the sport, and younger generations that are less likely to participate in hunting due to societal changes and more competition for their attention.”
Deer hunter numbers in 2021 were down nearly 4% over the previous year with close to 600,000 hunters purchasing a deer license. Hunter number declines are in line with past years going back to peak participation in the mid 90’s.
“While the trend in hunter participation is discouraging, we know that hunting remains an important part of Michigan’s outdoor heritage,” Eichinger said. “That’s why we encourage experienced hunters to introduce the sport to new hunters wherever they can. Spending time with veteran hunters can reduce the learning curve, increase safety and instill a sense of excitement and appreciation for our state’s natural resources.”
To learn more about deer management, CWD and deer hunting in Michigan, and to access the 2021 deer harvest survey, visitMichigan.gov/Deer.
see archived link;
Michigan MDARD Captive CWD Positives depopulated and quarantined
Michigan MDARD CWD
APPENDIX A: 2021 REPORTABLE DISEASES
Livestock Diseases: Small Animal, Equine and Exotic Diseases:
Disease Species Number of Animals
CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) Cervid 19
Michigan Department Ag. Captive Cervid
APPENDIX A: 2021 REPORTABLE DISEASES
Livestock Disease
Disease Species Number of Animals
CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) Cervid 19
Michigan MDARD CWD
APPENDIX A: 2020 REPORTABLE DISEASES Livestock Diseases:
Disease Species Number of Animals
CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) Cervid 46
Michigan Department Ag. Captive Cervid
APPENDIX A: 2020 REPORTABLE DISEASES
Livestock Diseases: Disease Species Number of Animals
CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) Cervid 46
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
• Managing the CWD-positive deer farm identified in March 2019.
• In May 2019, the USDA released updated CWD Herd Certification Program Standards. Michigan is in the process of implementing these new changes.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
• Managed the disease investigation and removal of deer from the a CWD positive deer farm identified in December 2017.
• Due to multiple detections of CWD in free-ranging deer, the parameters for being in a designated special surveillance area were modified to include all herds in an affected county. This change created more comprehensive and efficient responses.
• Initiated a comprehensive program review with the DNR to streamline and improve the Farmed Cervid Program.
Since May 2015, the Depaitment has confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in free-ranging white-tailed deer from Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ionia, Ingham, Jackson, Kent, and Montcalm Counties in the Lower Peninsula. In October 2018, the Department confirmed CWD in a free ranging white-tailed deer from Dickinson County in the Upper Peninsula (UP). As of mid-April 2019, after testing approximately 60,545 free-ranging white-tailed deer, 118 were positively confirmed with CWD, with 62 occurring in 2018.
Chronic wasting disease was also found in August 2008, at a Kent County privately-owned cervid (POC) facility and in two POC facilities in Mecosta County in 2017.
In addition, CWD was found in March 2019 at a POC facility in Montcalm County.
Michigan Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Update
CWD in Michigan
Since May 2015 when the first CWD deer was found in Michigan, CWD has been confirmed in a number of townships in the Lower Peninsula.
As of October 2018, a CWD positive deer was found in the Upper Peninsula in Dickinson County.
CWD was also found in August 2008 at a Kent County deer farm facility and in January 2017 in two captive deer that were from a deer farm facility in Mecosta County.
see archived link;
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79608_90516_90541---,00.html
see archived;
CWD TESTING RESULTS
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79608_90516_90536-538324--,00.html
Michigan CWD
Desperado Deer: The Persistent Problem of Captive Deer Running Wild
by Editor | May 8, 2018 | Conservation, Hunting
Cervid Escapees – Measuring the Problem
For starters, no one knows for sure how many deer escape from high-fence facilities each year. Neither the DNR nor the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development keep accurate, complete records of the number of escapees reported by citizens and/or investigated by DNR conservation officers. Only in 2017 did the DNR first begin using an electronic database to monitor escaped cervids.
Currently, there are 333 licensed captive cervid facilities in the state, most of which are breeding farms (161) or hunting ranches (132), holding over 21,000 whitetail deer, fallow deer, red deer, Sitka deer and elk. While the number of deer escapees voluntarily reported has declined over recent years, the numbers do not include escapees that are never reported.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible neurological disease found in deer and elk populations that produces small lesions in brains of infected animals. As a result, CWD causes weight loss and a decline in body control. It is a species-specific disease, and there have been no cases in humans or other animals.
Currently, to determine the presence of CWD, brain and lymph node samples are taken by an accredited veterinarian after an animal dies. These samples are then submitted for testing.
As part of their operations, all privately-owned cervid (POC) facilities in Michigan are required to submit samples. The number of samples that must be submitted depends on what specific program that a producer participates in: the Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program (CWD HCP) or the Surveillance Program.
First, for the CWD HCP, all cervids 12 months of age and older that die for any reason must be tested for CWD.
Second, all facilities that are not a part of the CWD HCP must participate in the Surveillance Program. The Surveillance Program requires that all animals 12 months of age and older that die from illness, injury, or euthanasia due to disease must be tested for CWD. In addition, 25% of cervids slaughtered, hunted, or culled must be tested. This number is calculated on an annual basis. In general, all facilities that have at least one death must test at least this one animal.
Samples for either of these programs can be submitted to a private veterinarian, the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, or an MDARD drop off location.
For more information, contact the MDARD Cervid Program.
General Questions/Concerns: MDARD-Cervid@Michigan.gov
Cervid Program Manager:
Dr. Jennifer Calogero CalogeroJ@Michigan.gov517-284-5692
Cervid Program Secretary: Melanie Hart HartM1@Michigan.gov 517-284-5679
Privately Owned Cervidae
Raising deer and elk in captivity is jointly regulated by the DNR and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The DNR oversees the registration of facilities containing farmed cervids and performs inspections of these operations. MDARD manages the disease programs for the state’s POC facilities. Participation in disease surveillance programs - such as those for chronic wasting disease (CWD) and the bovine tuberculosis (TB) - ensures for a robust industry by increasing the marketability of these animals by decreasing their potential for carrying disease. There are nearly 300 licensed facilities in 76 Michigan counties totaling over 63,000 fenced acres. The division conducts about 95 facility inspections per year to ensure that fencing and recordkeeping meet industry standards.
2021 Wildlife Health Section Accomplishments
Tested over 8,000 deer heads for bovine tuberculosis and
2,500 heads for chronic wasting disease.
While CWD is not known to be zoonotic, bTB can infect humans, domestic animals and wild animals beyond white-tailed deer.
***> Tested ...and 2,500 heads for chronic wasting disease.
MDNR estimates put the Michigan deer population around 1.75 million for 2019. Dec 25, 2019
Issues Pros and Cons Despite federal, state, and local regulations and other measures intended to prevent the spread or reduce CWD prevalence, the disease continues to be identified in captive cervid facilities certified as “low risk” through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Herd Certification Program and the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) Voluntary Herd Certification Programs (participating in a federally-approved CWD program was a measure of the ATA program). According to the USDA data reports, there were 22 new CWD-positive captive cervid facilities identified in FY2020; 41 percent of those were either enrolled or certified in the federal HCP program. There are a variety of unregulated processes used to collect urine, and they often result in the accumulation of a mixture of secretions, therefore providing concurrent contaminated risks. In addition, urine products are frequently batched/combined from multiple locations and distributed across the country, which increases the likelihood of CWDinfected urine entering the market. There are currently no standard regulations to ensure that urine collected for lures and attractants are disease-free.
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Biological
Nationally, CWD continues to be found in captive cervid facilities.
From the years 2012 to 2021, there have been 66 privately owned cervid facilities nationally where CWD has been identified.
Of those 66 facilities, 39 were enrolled in the HCP, and 32 of those facilities were HCP-certified (meaning there had been at least five years of disease monitoring and no rule violations) indicating low risk for CWD.
This national USDA CWD HCP is not mandatory, and more importantly, recent CWD events show that it does not and cannot guarantee that captive deer herds are CWD free.
To date, CWD has been found in more than 140 captive deer herds in 16 states and two Canadian provinces.
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Signed_05WCO2021_724156_7.pdf
Front. Vet. Sci., 18 January 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.824815
Evaluation of Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion, ELISA, and Immunohistochemistry for Chronic Wasting Disease Diagnosis
All, except one, CWD positive RLNs analyzed were from ten Counties geographically located in the West Michigan region of the Lower Peninsula. Taken together, we show evidence that the RT-QuIC assay is comparable to ELISA and IHC and could be helpful for routine CWD detection in surveillance programs. RT-QuIC also demonstrated that CWD prions are distributed across lymph nodes in a variety of anatomic locations.
Michigan:
September, 2019: NVSL confirmed CWD in a two year old female white-tailed deer in Montcalm County. The doe was a natural addition to the breeding herd which consists of 50 white-tailed deer. This herd is not enrolled in the Federal HCP, is within a CWDendemic area, and is under quarantine.
Michigan: One new CWD positive herd
Hunt preserve of >600 WTD, not in HCP, populated and under quarantine
Farmed Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2021 Cooperative Agreements
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/cwd/downloads/cwd-funding-oppt-annc-fy2021.pdf
archived link;
archived page;
APHIS also conducts monitoring and surveillance activities to detect diseases that affect cervids, including chronic wasting disease (CWD) and tuberculosis (TB). APHIS’ voluntary national CWD Herd Certification Plan (HCP) works with States, Tribes, and the cervid industry to control CWD in farmed cervids by allowing the interstate movement only from certified herds.
Currently, 28 States participate in the national CWD HCP. 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.
Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2021
Funding Opportunity USDA APHIS Wildlife Services announced awards for two opportunities for the control and prevention of CWD in wild cervids under the titles of “Wild Cervid CWD Management and Response Activities 2021” and “Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Opportunities 2021.” See information below. Wild Cervid CWD FOA Wild Cervid CWD FAQs Wild Cervid CWD Management and Response Activities 2021 Cooperative Agreements Wild Cervid CWD 2021 Project Executive Summaries Tribal Nations Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Opportunities 2021 Funding Opportunity Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD FOA Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD FAQs Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Opportunities 2021 Cooperative Agreements Wild Cervid Tribal CWD 2021 Project Executive Summaries
VS Farmed Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2021 Funding Opportunity RISK, UNCERTAINTY AND DECISION-MAKING: ASSESSING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE OCCURRENCE RISK ACROSS AN EMERGENCE SPECTRUM
Exposure hazards included point locations of captive cervid facilities, deer processors and taxidermists, and out-of-area hunting connectivity.
As of 2018, there were a total of 296 ranch and full-registration facilities in Michigan. In terms of their spatial distribution, there were facilities in 196 out of 1240 townships, and 71 out of 83 counties (Fig. 2.1). There were 468 registered deer processors and taxidermists in 2017, the year for which data were available. Processors and taxidermists occurred in 696 out of 1240 townships, and 82 out of 83 counties (Fig. 2.2). Lastly, out-of-area hunting was based on both intrastate and interstate metrics. For intrastate hunting, the percentage of respondents that travelled from one county to another was scaled up to the total number of hunters that reside in a county. CWD positive counties included Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent and Montcalm counties. The average number of hunters per resident county from 2013 – 2017 who travelled to a CWD positive county ranged from 0 – 3832 per year (Fig. 2.3). A low number (i.e., low connectivity) of interstate hunters ranged from 0 – 1059 for the 5-year average, whereas a high number ranged from 1060 – 3832(Fig. 2.3). Interstate hunting was quantified as the number of Michigan resident hunters who purchased an out-of-state license in Wisconsin between years 2013 – 2017 (i.e., nonresident license). For interstate connectivity, I found that average annual number of Michigan county residents that traveled to Wisconsin between 2013 –2017 was 0 – 170 per year (Fig. 2.4). A low number (i.e., low connectivity) of interstate hunters ranged from 0 – 39 for the 5-year average, whereas a high number ranged from 40 – 170 (Fig. 2.4).
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In 2017, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) detected CWD in a 3- year-old white-tailed doe submitted during an early season youth hunt (MDNR 2017). Additional surveillance in the area during 2017 identified 45 total CWD-positive animals in a concentrated disease focus in the west-central Lower Peninsula of Michigan within Kent and Montcalm counties. Nine previous CWD detections had occurred in the state in 2015 and 2016; however, the 2017 detections were the first evidence that CWD might be widespread and established within Michigan. Based on a single year of observation, predicting the area affected by the cluster of disease with distance benchmarks would likely fail to fully encapsulate the affected area. Furthermore, based on the sparsity of data, fitting complex disease models was not possible. Thus, there was an immediate need for an alternative approach that could more appropriately estimate the extent of CWD and identify locations at high risk using limited available information
https://d.lib.msu.edu/etd/49428/datastream/OBJ/View/
archived
Prion protein polymorphisms in Michigan white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Caitlin N. Ott-ConnORCID Icon,Julie A. Blanchong &Wes A. Larson
Pages 183-190 | Received 22 Jul 2021, Accepted 01 Oct 2021, Published online: 09 Nov 2021
Download citation https://doi.org/10.1080/19336896.2021.1990628
ABSTRACT
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a well-described transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of the Cervidae family, is associated with the aggregation of an abnormal isoform (PrPCWD) of the naturally occurring host prion protein (PrPC). Variations in the PrP gene (PRNP) have been associated with CWD rate of infection and disease progression. We analysed 568 free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 9 CWD-positive Michigan counties for PRNP polymorphisms. Sampling included 185 CWD-positive, 332 CWD non-detected, and an additional 51 CWD non-detected paired to CWD-positives by sex, age, and harvest location. We found 12 polymorphic sites of which 5 were non-synonymous and resulted in a change in amino acid composition. Thirteen haplotypes were predicted, of which 11 have previously been described. Using logistic regression, consistent with other studies, we found haplotypes C (OR = 0.488, 95% CI = 0.321–0.730, P < 0.001) and F (OR = 0.122, 95% CI = 0.007–0.612, P < 0.05) and diplotype BC (OR = 0.340, 95% CI = 0.154–0.709, P < 0.01) were less likely to be found in deer infected with CWD. As has also been documented in other studies, the presence of a serine at amino acid 96 was less likely to be found in deer infected with CWD (P < 0.001, OR = 0.360 and 95% CI = 0.227–0.556). Identification of PRNP polymorphisms associated with reduced vulnerability to CWD in Michigan deer and their spatial distribution can help managers design surveillance programmes and identify and prioritize areas for CWD management.
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Results
PRNP sequences were determined for 568 free-ranging white-tailed deer from 9 CWD-positive Michigan counties. Of these samples, 185 were CWD-positive, 332 were CWD non-detected, and an additional 51 CWD non-detected were paired to CWD-positives to control for sex, age, and harvest location (Figure 1). Within the analysed 625bp region of the PRNP gene, we detected 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 9 of which had been previously reported [22, 29, 33, 36, 38–41]. Of the 12 SNPs, 5 were non-synonymous, resulting in a change to the amino acid sequence (Table 1). BLAST and literature searches indicated that 589A/G, 642 G/A, and 643 C/A had not previously been reported. Full associated sequences have been deposited in GenBank under accession numbers MZ913400 – MZ913401.
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As CWD detections continue to increase the areas under surveillance, the use of regionally specific data to allocate testing efforts and funding will be pivotal for success. Identification of PRNP polymorphisms associated with reduced vulnerability to CWD and their spatial distribution and prevalence may help managers design surveillance programmes to identify and prioritize areas for CWD management when partnered with movement data and anticipated deposition of prions onto the landscape over time.
77. Assessing chronic wasting disease strain differences in free-ranging cervids across the United States
Kaitlyn M. Wagnera, Caitlin Ott-Connb, Kelly Strakab, Bob Dittmarc, Jasmine Battend, Robyn Piercea, Mercedes Hennessya, Elizabeth Gordona, Brett Israela, Jenn Ballarde and Mark D Zabela
aPrion Research Center at Colorado State University; bMichigan Department of Natural Resources; cTexas Parks and Wildlife Department; dMissouri Department of Conservation, 5. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission CONTACT Kaitlyn M. Wagner miedkait@rams.colostate.edu
ABSTRACT
Background/Introduction: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an invariably fatal prion disease affecting captive and free-ranging cervids, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose, elk, and reindeer. Since the initial description of the disease in the 1960’s, CWD has spread to 23 states, 3 Canadian Provinces, South Korea, Norway and, most recently, Finland. While some outbreaks of CWD were caused by transport of infected animals from endemic regions, the origin of CWD in other epizootics is unclear and has not been characterized. Previous studies have shown that there are two distinct strains of CWD. However, the continuous spread and the unclear origin of several outbreaks warrant continued surveillance and further characterization of strain diversity.
Materials and Methods: To address these knowledge gaps, we used biochemical tests to assess strain differences between CWD outbreaks in Michigan, Texas, Missouri, and Colorado, USA. Brain or lymph node samples were homogenized and digested in 50 µg/mL proteinase K (PK). These samples were then run on a Western blot to assess glycoform ratio and electrophoretic mobility. Texas samples were digested in 100 µg/mL PK. To assess conformational stability, brain or lymph node homogenates were incubated in increasing concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride from 0 M to 4 M in 0.5 M increments. Samples were then precipitated in methanol overnight, washed and PK digested in 50 µg/mL PK before slot blotting.
Results: Our results have found significant differences in glycoform ratio between CWD from Michigan and Colorado, but no differences were observed in conformational stability assays. Interestingly, when testing our CWD isolates from Texas to analyse electrophoretic mobility and glycoform ratio, we found that these samples did not exhibit the characteristic band shift when treated with PK, but PK resistant material remained. Additionally, results from our conformational stability assay demonstrate a unique profile of these Texas isolates. Testing of samples from Missouri is currently underway.
Conclusions: Thus far, our data indicate that there are strain differences between CWD circulating in Michigan and CWD in Colorado and provide important insight into CWD strain differences between two non-contiguous outbreaks. We have also identified a unique strain of CWD in Texas with biochemical strain properties not seen in any of our other CWD isolates. These results highlight the importance of continued surveillance to better understand this devastating disease. These results have important implications for CWD emergence, evolution and our understanding of prion strain heterogeneity on the landscape.
Special Surveillance Area (SSA) Counties for Farmed Deer
Calhoun (CA)
Clinton (CN)
Dickinson (DK)
Eaton (ET)
Gratiot (GT)
Hillsdale (HD)
Ingham (IN)
Ionia (IO)
Jackson (JK)
Kent (KN)
Lenawee (LN)
Livingston (LV)
Mecosta (MT)
Menominee (MO)
Montcalm (MT)
Newaygo (NW)
Saginaw (SG)
Shiawassee (SH)
Washtenaw (WA)
SSAs as of December 18, 2019
SSAs are established when a free-ranging or farmed deer is identified with chronic wasting disease.
Contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Cervid Program at MDARD-Cervid@Michigan.gov or 517-284-5679.
Special Surveillance Area (SSA) If a free-ranging or privately-owned cervid (POC) tests positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), then a buffer circle is created around that positive animal. This buffer circle is referred to as a Special Surveillance Area (SSA). POC facilities that fall within a SSA will have increased CWD testing requirements.
More specifically, if a free-ranging cervid is found to be positive for CWD, a 15-mile radius circle is created around the positive animal. And, if a POC is found to be positive for CWD, a 5-mile radius circle is created around the positive animal. Further, for both cases, the SSA extends to the entirety of the county of the infected animal and any county that the 15-mile or 5-mile circle touches.
For a complete list of counties that are included within a particular SSA, please review the map below.
Livestock Diseases:
Disease Species Number of Animals
CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) Cervid 46
Number of herds involved in special surveillance zones around CWD positive free-ranging deer 84 84
MDARD CWD Confirmed at Farmed Deer Facilities in Mecosta and Montcalm Counties
... Rural Development (MDARD) has confirmed two cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) at two separate farmed deer facilities, one ... 123 free-ranging deer from Montcalm County. "Since chronic wasting disease can significantly impact all Michigan deer, it is ...
MDARD CWD Identified in Newaygo County Farmed Deer
... Agriculture and Rural and Development (MDARD) has confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in three white-tailed deer from a ... rule out exposure of any other farmed deer. "Chronic wasting disease is a serious disease affecting both farmed and ...
MDARD CWD identified in a Montcalm County farmed deer
... Rural Development (MDARD) has confirmed a case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a four-year-old white-tailed ... 123 free-ranging deer in Montcalm County. "As chronic wasting disease affects both farmed and free-ranging deer, MDARD ...
Michigan CWD Confirmed at Farmed Deer Facilities in Mecosta and Montcalm Counties
CWD Confirmed at Farmed Deer Facilities in Mecosta and Montcalm Counties
For immediate release: August 11, 2021 Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724
LANSING, MI - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has confirmed two cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) at two separate farmed deer facilities, one in Mecosta County and one in Montcalm County. The two infected deer, a two-year-old and a four-year-old, were discovered through routine testing as part of the state's CWD surveillance program for farmed deer.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. The disease can be transmitted directly from one animal to another, as well as indirectly through the environment. While an infected deer may appear healthy for months or years, it will eventually display abnormal behavior, progressive weight loss, and physical debilitation in the latter stages of the disease.
The presence of CWD in farmed and free-ranging deer is not new to Michigan. Since 2008, and including these new cases, CWD has been detected at eight Michigan deer farms in the following counties: Kent, Mecosta (3), Montcalm (3), and Newaygo.
With free-ranging deer, CWD was first discovered in May 2015, and cases have been found across nine counties in Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. To date, while no free-ranging white-tailed deer have tested positive for CWD in Mecosta County, the disease has been detected in 123 free-ranging deer from Montcalm County.
"Since chronic wasting disease can significantly impact all Michigan deer, it is vitally important to detect the disease as early as possible," said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM. "Early detection allows MDARD and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to work in collaboration with farmers and hunters to stem the spread and manage this serious disease."
As part of MDARD's disease response, investigations are being conducted to rule out exposure to any other farmed deer.
Currently, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend that infected animals should not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.
More information about CWD can be found at Michigan.gov/CWD or Michigan.gov/MDARD-Cervid.
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CWD identified in a Montcalm County farmed deer
For immediate release: March 12, 2021 Media contact: Jessy Sielski, 517-331-1151
LANSING, MI - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has confirmed a case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a four-year-old white-tailed deer from a Montcalm County deer farm. The case was found through samples that were submitted for routine testing as part of the state's CWD surveillance program for farmed deer.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. CWD can be transmitted directly from one animal to another, as well as indirectly through the environment. While an infected deer may appear healthy for months or years, it will eventually display abnormal behavior, progressive weight loss, and physical debilitation in the latter stages of the disease.
The discovery of CWD in farmed and free-ranging deer is not new to the state of Michigan. Since 2008, and including this new case, CWD has been detected at six Michigan deer farms in the following counties: Kent, Mecosta (2), Montcalm (2), and Newaygo.
With free-ranging deer, CWD was first discovered in May 2015, and cases have been found across nine counties in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. To date, CWD has been detected in 123 free-ranging deer in Montcalm County.
"As chronic wasting disease affects both farmed and free-ranging deer, MDARD works in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the state's deer farmers to detect and manage this serious disease," said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM. "Due to the nature of the disease, it is imperative that farmers, hunters, DNR, and MDARD continue to work in collaboration to protect all of Michigan's deer."
As part of MDARD's disease response, an investigation will be conducted to rule out exposure of any other farmed deer.
Currently, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend infected animals not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.
More information about CWD can be found at Michigan.gov/CWD or Michigan.gov/MDARD-Cervid.
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Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease ACTIVE
By National Wildlife Health Center February 5, 2022
Michigan CWD Testing Results Deer Harvested in 2021 Statewide Total 22 Positive To Date For Year in Wild
CWD Testing Results for Deer Harvested in 2021
Test results updated as of December 13, 2021.
Totals reflected in this update only include those with final test results.
Deer with pending results are not included in these totals.
Zone Total Tested Number Positive
UP CWD Core Surveillance Area 193 0
South Isabella + Gratiot 749 3
South Jackson 855 12
Totals 1797 15
Testing numbers above are part of the county totals in the larger table below.
County Name Total Tested Number Positive
Allegan 290 0
Barry 150 0
Berrien 77 0
Branch 104 0
Calhoun 139 0
Cass 64 0
Eaton 82 0
Hillsdale 204 0
N. Jackson 135 0
Kalamazoo 196 0
Lenawee 118 0
Livingston 68 0
Macomb 13 0
Monroe 34 0
Oakland 43 0
St. Joseph 81 0
Van Buren 155 0
Washtenaw 178 0
Wayne 9 0
Total to date 2106 0
These counties are open for hunter service testing November 15-18 ONLY. There are no surveillance goals.
County Name Total Tested Number Positive
Clinton 45 0
Dickinson (non-core) 3 0
Ingham 32 0
Ionia 35 1
Kent 47 1
Montcalm 53 5
Total to date 215 7 Deer tested in remainder of state 113 0 Positive
Statewide Total 3865 22 Positive
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79608_90516_90536-538324--,00.html
archived link;
Michigan MDARD Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in Two Farmed Elk from Kent County
For immediate release: November 18, 2021 Media contact: Chelsea Lewis-Parisio, 517-331-1151
MDARD: Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in Two Farmed Elk from Kent County
LANSING, MI – Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) confirmed two cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in elk from a farmed cervid facility in Kent County. The two infected elk, a two-and-a-half-year-old and a three-and-a-half-year-old, were discovered through disease tracing efforts that resulted from finding CWD in a different Michigan farmed cervid herd. These are the first cases of CWD in Michigan elk.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects different cervid species, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. The disease can be transmitted directly from one animal to another and indirectly through the environment. While an infected animal may appear healthy for months or years, it will eventually display abnormal behavior, progressive weight loss, and physical debilitation in the latter stages of the disease.
“The discovery of chronic wasting disease in elk housed at a facility linked to a positive animal is not surprising,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM. “MDARD’s main priority is to limit the spread of this disease by working together with other state departments, farmers, and ranchers. These findings underscore how important it is to pay attention to CWD and the movement of animals that may allow the disease to spread.”
The presence of CWD in farmed cervid facilities and free-ranging deer is not new to Michigan. Since 2008, including these new cases, CWD has been detected at nine Michigan cervid farms in the following counties: Kent (2), Mecosta (3), Montcalm (3), and Newaygo.
No wild elk have tested positive for CWD in Michigan. The disease was first discovered in free-ranging deer in May 2015; cases have been found across nine counties in Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. To date, 37 free-ranging white-tailed deer have tested positive for CWD in Kent County.
As part of MDARD’s disease response, investigations are ongoing to rule out any possible exposure to other farmed cervids.
Currently, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend that animals that have tested positive for CWD should not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.
More information about CWD can be found at http://Michigan.gov/CWD or http://Michigan.gov/MDARD-Cervid.
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Michigan CWD TSE Prion TOTAL WILD CERVID 220 POSITIVE TO DATE, CAPTIVE CWD TOTAL???
PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DNR...see;
Mon, Aug 9, 2021 11:46 am
''The interactive hot map you are referencing is updated regularly, at least once a month, but even more regularly during hunting season as that is when we receive most samples and theoretical positives. All 209 animals to date are wild. No captive cervid deer are listed in our testing metrics because they fall into a different category of management as overseen by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Because they are captive they are treated as domestic animals – same as cows, horses, and pigs. If you were inquiring about CWD+ private cervids you will have to reach out to them as we don’t so much focus on total individuals positive as we do positive herds and locations (which again they would be best to ask).'' ''Our 2021 testing totals account for 11 positives this year, all USDA-APHIS or Disease Permit culled animals in Gratiot (3) and Jackson (8) counties. I am digging into when the interactive map was last updated now, but at a worst that would but our total positive at 220 over Michigan’s history of testing if it hadn’t been recently updated (which is possible as USDA-APHIS shooting just recently started up again in July after a multi-month break).''
YOU can see CWD here;
archived link;
Where has chronic wasting disease (CWD) been found in Michigan?
Since the initial finding of CWD on May 20, 2015, free-ranging deer in Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent and Montcalm counties have been positively confirmed with CWD. Please visit Michigan.gov/CWD for more information on CWD and the latest news and testing updates. See pages 56-57 and 61-62 for important regulations pertaining to CWD.
Assessing drivers of spread and transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease in Michigan deer
Primary Contact: Dr. Dwayne Etter, DNR Wildlife Division, Lansing, Michigan
Email: etterd@michigan.gov
Phone: (517) 284-4720
DNR Financial Support: $120,149 in FY19, $502,737 total.
Study Area: South-central Lower Peninsula
Time Frame: 10/1/2017-9/30/2022
Abstract:
The occurrence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Michigan challenges the foundations of wildlife conservation, both in the short term and perhaps more significantly in the longer term. In the short term, CWD is causing reallocation of precious financial and staff-time resources and will be widely disruptive to existing programs of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In the longer term, diseases such as CWD pose a threat to the financial cornerstone of fisheries and wildlife programs because sales of deer hunting licenses represent a large proportion of annual revenue for the Division of Wildlife. Recognizing these threats, the Division of Wildlife included wildlife disease in its Guiding Principles and Strategies (Objective 1.3: monitor and preserve the health of Michigan’s wildlife) and prepared a comprehensive Surveillance and Response Plan for Chronic Wasting Disease of Free-ranging and Privately Owned Cervids.
Chronic wasting disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that infects North American cervids including white-tailed deer (Williams 2005). The infectious agent of CWD is a misfolded protein, a prion, which accumulates in the brainstem and lymphatic tissue of infected animals and results in neurodegeneration and eventual death. In states where CWD is established it has emerged as a major threat, reducing the health of populations and causing long-term population decline (Edmunds et al. 2016, Gross and Miller 2001, Manjerovic et al. 2014).
The discovery of CWD in Michigan creates an immediate need for population monitoring and surveillance of at-risk deer populations. Since 2015, nine infected individuals have been identified following collection through state surveillance efforts, representing key successes in targeted disease management. However, the continued discovery of infected individuals in 2016 suggests a high likelihood that additional infected individuals remain on the landscape. The occurrence of a small number of infected animals across a relatively small geographic region in mid-Michigan indicates that the disease is still emerging.
What distinguishes the research proposed here from extensive work done in other states is that CWD is still in an emergent phase in Michigan. Michigan discovered the disease early during a time when transmission of the disease may be more dependent on the density of deer on the landscape because most infections are through direct contact of infected animals with susceptible individuals. This situation is similar only to New York and Minnesota. In all other states where CWD has been discovered, the disease was already well established, and transmission included infection mediated by contact of susceptible individuals with severely contaminated environments. Our research in Michigan is intended to explore management options for the control of an emerging occurrence of CWD through better understanding of behavior and population dynamics of deer inhabiting areas of known infection.
The goal of this research is to improve the cost-efficiency of detecting CWD when it is still rare and removing animals from the landscape to control the spread of disease, by reducing contact among deer and potentially eliminating infectious animals. We intend to take a multi-pronged approach to accomplish this goal and the work described here will complement another study that seeks to develop new methods for detecting and removing diseased animals. The effort described here is designed to accumulate a dataset on movement behavior of deer that is of high temporal and spatial resolution to address questions about dispersal rates, directions and distances; evaluate hypotheses about environmental factors that are likely influences on dispersal behavior; parameterize risk maps of first-order contact for Michigan in concert with data and prior research in New York State; and create models of the interaction of landscape contexts (e.g., suburban, rural) and habitat characteristics that can be used to direct hunters and biologists to increase the efficiency of surveillance and removal actions. Our objectives address the strategic plans set forth by the Michigan DNR to “1.3.1: Develop and implement strategies to prevent and control diseases before they occur; 1.3.2: Respond to wildlife disease outbreaks; 1.3.4: Conduct research and monitoring to provide information to make management recommendations regarding wildlife disease; 1.3.5: Raise awareness regarding current and emerging wildlife health issues; and 1.3.6: Work with State and Federal agencies, and stakeholders to address wildlife health issues.”
12 IC4117 (Rev. 02/02/2021)
control of an emerging occurrence of CWD through better understanding of behavior and population dynamics of deer inhabiting areas of known infection.
The goal of this research is to improve the cost-efficiency of detecting CWD when it is still rare and removing animals from the landscape to control the spread of disease, by reducing contact among deer and potentially eliminating infectious animals. We intend to take a multi-pronged approach to accomplish this goal and the work described here will complement another study that seeks to develop new methods for detecting and removing diseased animals. The effort described here is designed to accumulate a dataset on movement behavior of deer that is of high temporal and spatial resolution to address questions about dispersal rates, directions and distances; evaluate hypotheses about environmental factors that are likely influences on dispersal behavior; parameterize risk maps of first-order contact for Michigan in concert with data and prior research in New York State; and create models of the interaction of landscape contexts (e.g., suburban, rural) and habitat characteristics that can be used to direct hunters and biologists to increase the efficiency of surveillance and removal actions.
Our objectives address the strategic plans set forth by the Michigan DNR to “1.3.1: Develop and implement strategies to prevent and control diseases before they occur; 1.3.2: Respond to wildlife disease outbreaks; 1.3.4: Conduct research and monitoring to provide information to make management recommendations regarding wildlife disease; 1.3.5: Raise awareness regarding current and emerging wildlife health issues; and 1.3.6: Work with State and Federal agencies, and stakeholders to address wildlife health issues.”
Management of Chronic Wasting Disease in Michigan
Primary Contact: Dr. Kelly Straka, DNR Wildlife Division, Lansing, Michigan
Email: StrakaK1@michigan.gov
Phone: (517) 336-5030
DNR Financial Support: $50,000 in FY19, $250,000 total.
Study Area: Statewide.
Time Frame: 10/01/2016-09/30/2022
Abstract: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that infects North American cervids including white-tailed deer (Williams 2005). The infectious agent of CWD is a misfolded protein, a prion, that accumulates in the brainstem and lymphatic tissue of infected animals and results in neurodegeneration and eventual death. In states where CWD is established, it has emerged as a major threat, reducing the health of populations and causing long-term population decline (Edmunds et. al. 2016, Gross and Miller 2001, Manjerovic et. al. 2014). 15 IC4117 (Rev. 02/02/2021)
The occurrence of CWD in Michigan challenges the foundations of wildlife conservation, both in the short term and perhaps more significantly in the longer term. In the short term, CWD is causing reallocation of precious financial and staff-time resources and will be widely disruptive to existing programs. In the longer term, diseases such as CWD pose a threat to the financial cornerstone of fisheries and wildlife programs because sales of deer hunting licenses represent such a large proportion of annual revenue. Recognizing these threats, the Wildlife Division included wildlife disease in its Guiding Principles and Strategies (Objective 1.3: Monitor and preserve the health of Michigan’s wildlife) and prepared a comprehensive Surveillance and Response Plan for Chronic Wasting Disease of Free-ranging and Privately Owned Cervids.
The discovery of CWD in Michigan creates an immediate need for tools that better assess the return-oninvestment of funds for surveillance and management of CWD. We propose building on risk assessment and modeling that was previously developed during a CWD outbreak in New York. There, we showed how costs of CWD containment could be reduced dramatically by using risk modeling procedures and mapping areas where management action would have the greatest impact on disease control (Williams et. al. 2014). We plan to expand on those efforts by adapting them to Michigan and drawing on newly emerging tools for population estimation and risk analysis procedures that we have been using on other research (e.g., local-scale monitoring of deer populations using distance sampling and evaluation of wild turkey harvest regulations using statistical risk modeling).
Our objectives address the strategies set forth in the Wildlife Division’s Guiding Principles and Strategies to “1.3.1: Develop and implement strategies to prevent and control diseases before they occur, 1.3.2: Respond to wildlife disease outbreaks, 1.3.4: Conduct research and monitoring to provide information to make management recommendations regarding wildlife disease, 1.3.5: Raise awareness regarding current and emerging wildlife health issues and 1.3.6: Work with State and Federal agencies and stakeholders to address wildlife health issues.” Specifically, we will provide managers with decision tools to: (1) evaluate the risk of spread of disease against the geographic extent of management action and attendant financial and political costs, (2) evaluate management alternatives to control CWD and assess the risk of local cases of CWD transitioning from emergent status to established status (where the disease becomes a self-sustaining reservoir within a population) and (3) monitor management outcomes for deer population abundance and disease prevalence.
Quantifying Upper Peninsula deer movements and abundance: preparing for CWD management
Primary Contact: Dr. Dean Beyer Jr., DNR Wildlife Division, Marquette, Michigan
Email: beyerd@michigan.gov
Phone: (906) 228-6561
DNR Financial Support: $117,759 in FY19, $613,001 total.
Study Area: Upper Peninsula
Time Frame: 10/1/2017-9/30/2021
Abstract:
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) occurs in free-ranging white-tailed deer in Lower Michigan, and in our neighboring state of Wisconsin where the disease is endemic. Although wildlife managers have not documented CWD in the Upper Peninsula, managers found infected deer in two Wisconsin captive cervid facilities near the Michigan border. Officials identified the disease in a facility in Oneida County, Wisconsin, about 40 km from our Iron County border and a second positive deer in Oconto County, Wisconsin, about 50 km from our Menominee County border.
While it is not possible to predict if or when we will find CWD in the Upper Peninsula, preparations seem prudent. A scientifically based understanding of deer movements and estimates of population abundance are critical for developing management recommendations in response to CWD. Deer movements and abundance can influence the probability of disease occurrence, contact rates which can affect transmission rate, and geographic extent of an outbreak (e.g., Oyer et al. 2007, Skult et al. 2008, Webb et al. 2010). Importantly, these data take time to gather and managers need this information at the time of first discovery. Thus, waiting for a disease outbreak before gathering these data would put managers at a disadvantage. Important deer movements to understand include seasonal home ranges, migration (especially important in the Upper Peninsula), dispersal, transient, and exploratory.
Information on these movements would inform decisions on identification of CWD management zones. The current strategy is to establish a 16-km radius circle around the location of an infected cervid and include entire counties whose boundaries intersect this circle as part of the CWD management zone. Further, if results from local population surveys or other credible scientific data suggest that cervids from within the radius are likely to move beyond the management zone boundary, the boundary should be expanded accordingly. In the Upper Peninsula, deer can seasonally migrate 50 km (Van Deelen et al. 1998), with overall movements exceeding 80 km (Doepker et al. 2015). These migratory movements, as well as other movements (e.g., dispersal), are currently unknown and certainly not aligned with or contained within county boundaries. Although some information exists on deer movements in the UP, most of this work relied on tag returns that do not provide the needed level of spatial and temporal resolution to inform management responses to a disease outbreak.
Consequently, If CWD was detected in the UP, large areas would likely be under surveillance and management that would not contain infected deer and large areas with potential for infected deer would not be within the prescribed surveillance zone, rendering the current management zone less effective. The Upper Peninsula Region (UPR), Biological and Social Sciences Section (BSSS), Wildlife Health Section (WHS), and Mississippi State University (MSU) wish to develop a program to address the need for information on deer movements. The core work would entail deploying GPS collars on deer in select wintering complexes and conditional winter range (starting along WI border) and documenting movements over three years. To complete the capture and collaring work, we would work cooperatively with interested sportspersons.
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/IC4117_SummaryofSustainableForestryResearch_652352_7.pdf
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79772_79773_83479---,00.html
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79608_90516_90541---,00.html
archived link;
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 01, 2021
Michigan CWD TSE Prion 211 Cases To Date
Michigan CWD TSE Prion 211 Cases To Date
Deer Tested for Chronic Wasting Disease Since Detection of First Positive Free-ranging Deer (May 2015)
Tested and Total Positives Cases CWD Testing Results for Deer Harvested in 2020 CWD Testing Results for Deer Harvested in 2019 CWD Testing Results for Deer Harvested in 2018 Michigan Lower Peninsula townships where free-ranging deer have tested positive for CWD
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible neurological disease found in deer and elk populations that produces small lesions in brains of infected animals. As a result, CWD causes weight loss and a decline in body control. It is a species-specific disease, and there have been no cases in humans or other animals.
Currently, to determine the presence of CWD, brain and lymph node samples are taken by an accredited veterinarian after an animal dies. These samples are then submitted for testing.
As part of their operations, all privately-owned cervid (POC) facilities in Michigan are required to submit samples. The number of samples that must be submitted depends on what specific program that a producer participates in: the Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program (CWD HCP) or the Surveillance Program.
First, for the CWD HCP, all cervids 12 months of age and older that die for any reason must be tested for CWD.
Second, all facilities that are not a part of the CWD HCP must participate in the Surveillance Program. The Surveillance Program requires that all animals 12 months of age and older that die from illness, injury, or euthanasia due to disease must be tested for CWD. In addition, 25% of cervids slaughtered, hunted, or culled must be tested. This number is calculated on an annual basis. In general, all facilities that have at least one death must test at least this one animal.
Samples for either of these programs can be submitted to a private veterinarian, the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, or an MDARD drop off location.
For more information, contact the MDARD Cervid Program.
APPENDIX A: 2020 REPORTABLE DISEASES
Livestock Diseases:
CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) Cervid 46
CWD Identified in Newaygo County Farmed Deer
For Immediate Release: January 14, 2020 Media Contact: Jessy Sielski, 517-284-5725
LANSING, MI - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural and Development (MDARD) has confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in three white-tailed deer from a Newaygo County deer farm. All three deer were four-and-a-half years old. The samples were submitted for routine testing as part of the state's CWD surveillance program for farmed deer.
To date, CWD has not been detected in free-ranging deer in Newaygo County. As part of MDARD's disease response, an investigation will be conducted to rule out exposure of any other farmed deer.
"Chronic wasting disease is a serious disease affecting both farmed and free-ranging deer," said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM. "MDARD and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources work together, in partnership with the state's deer farmers, to ensure the protection of all of Michigan's deer."
Since 2008, CWD has been detected in four additional privately-owned cervid facilities from Kent, Mecosta, and Montcalm Counties. The deer farm in Newaygo County is the fifth Michigan farm in which CWD has been detected.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. CWD can be transmitted directly from one animal to another, as well as indirectly through the environment. Infected animals may display abnormal behavior, progressive weight loss and physical debilitation. To date, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend that infected animals not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals.
More information about CWD can be found at Michigan.gov/CWD.
Total Deer Tested and Total Positives Cases CWD Testing Results for Deer Harvested in 2020 CWD Testing Results for Deer Harvested in 2019 CWD Testing Results for Deer Harvested in 2018 Michigan Lower Peninsula townships where free-ranging deer have tested positive for CWD https://www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/0,4579,7-186-76711_78204-357110--,00.html
Greenville man charged with violating CWD deer requirements
By Elisabeth Waldon | on February 03, 2021
Eric Snyder
EUREKA TOWNSHIP — A Greenville man is facing half a dozen charges related to his alleged improper handling of deer with chronic wasting disease (CWD).
Eric David Snyder, 51, is charged with three counts of animal industry acts (privately owned cervidae) two counts of animal industry acts (felony violation) and one count of animals burial.
According to Montcalm County Prosecutor Andrea Krause, the alleged crimes occurred between March 2019 and February 2020. The Department of Natural Resources investigated, however, Snyder wasn’t charged until December 2020 and he wasn’t arraigned until Jan. 21. Krause said the coronavirus pandemic likely played a role in the delay.
According to Krause, Snyder owned Fieldview Whitetails, a deer farm/ranch in Eureka Township.
“He had a deer test positive for CWD,” Krause said. “(Snyder) dumped the deer outside the farm in violation of the law. He also violated a quarantine of the other deer he had on his farm.”
A deer with CWD in Montcalm County was discovered in October 2017 and as a precaution in January 2018, all privately owned deer facilities were put into mandatory quarantine if they were within 15 miles of a deer that tested positive, according to Krause. In March 2019, a deer at Snyder’s farm was discovered to have CWD, and a follow-up investigation later that month discovered the alleged violations at the farm, according to Krause.
Snyder is being represented by attorney Jeff Crampton. If convicted, Snyder faces to from 90 days to five years prison and/or fines and costs.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022
Michigan’s 2021 deer seasons included targeted CWD surveillance, 25 positive deer
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2021
Prion protein polymorphisms in Michigan white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2021
Michigan shifts approach to monitor spread of deadly deer disease deer CWD TSE Prion 220 cases confirmed in WILD to date, captive?
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021
Michigan CWD TSE Prion TOTAL WILD CERVID 220 POSITIVE TO DATE, CAPTIVE CWD TOTAL
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021
Michigan Total CWD Positive/Suspect Positive Deer 209 Cases To Date
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020
Michigan, to date, CWD TSE Prion has been detected in 197 cervid
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
Michigan Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion increases to 191 positive to date
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
Michigan CWD TSE Prion 189 Positive To Date UPDATE September 2020
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020
Michigan CWD TSE Prion Total Suspect Positive Deer Moves Up To 188 with total deer tested 80,687 to date
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2020
Michigan CWD TSE Prion Total Suspect Positive Deer Jumps To 181 to date
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2020
Michigan CWD TSE Prion MDARD 3 positive white-tailed deer from a Newaygo County deer farm depopulation and quarantine efforts update?
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2020
Michigan MDARD has confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in 3 white-tailed deer from a Newaygo County deer farm
TUESDAY, JANUARY 07, 2020
Michigan Total CWD TSE Prion Positive Suspect-Positive Deer Jump To 174 confirmed to date
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019
Michigan Total CWD TSE Prion Positive Suspect-Positive Deer Jump To 162 confirmed to date
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019
Michigan Total CWD TSE Prion Positive/Suspect-Positive Deer 140 To Date
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 06, 2019
Michigan Total CWD TSE Prion Positive, Suspect Positive, Deer 136 To Date
2019 CWD Testing Goals and Results as of October 18, 2019
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019
Michigan DNR reports CWD-positive deer in Hamilton Township, Gratiot County
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2019
Michigan MSU SCIENTISTS ARE TESTING A FASTER WAY TO DETECT CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2019
Michigan TWO MORE CWD TSE PRION POSITIVES Total Now At 124 Positive
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
Michigan House Bill 4687 State Legislators Turn To Draft Dodger Ted Nugent To Make Scientific Decisions over DNR on CWD TSE Prion
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019
Michigan Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Two More Cases Total 122 To Date
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019
Michigan Osceola County deer farm/ranch owner arraigned on several violations
THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2019
Michigan CWD TSE Prion increases to 120 Cases to Date
THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2019
Michigan CWD Identified in a Montcalm County Farmed Deer
March 30, 2018
Contact: Lt. David Shaw, 616-218-3762
Mecosta County man sentenced following DNR investigation
Game ranch owner falsified information related to chronic wasting disease testing
A Mecosta County game ranch owner has been sentenced on charges resulting from an investigation by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Lester Jay Gemmen, 64, of Morley was charged with providing false information regarding the origin of two deer heads that were submitted for disease testing, and for failing to properly maintain fencing at the Super G Ranch. The ranch is a privately owned cervid (POC) facility, a designation that includes game ranches and hunting ranches.
He was sentenced by the 77th District Court to 60 days in jail for each count, ordered to pay $775 in fines and costs and must perform 80 hours of community service.
The investigation began in 2017 after two of the six deer heads submitted by Gemmen tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD).
“I commend the detectives from our Special Investigations Unit and our field conservation officers for their thorough, professional approach to this investigation,” said 1st Lt. David Shaw, supervisor of the Special Investigations Unit of the DNR Law Enforcement Division.
The facility’s remaining deer were depopulated and tested, but no further evidence of CWD was found. The facility remains under quarantine, currently preventing ownership of farmed cervids.
The Privately Owned Cervid Program is jointly managed by the DNR and MDARD. There is mandatory CWD testing in all registered herds in Michigan, under the oversight of MDARD. The DNR oversees POC registration and performs inspections of POC facilities. Proper maintenance of POC facilities is critical to protecting Michigan’s free-ranging and privately owned cervid herds.
CWD is a fatal central nervous system disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. It attacks the brain of infected animals, creating small lesions in the brain, which result in death. It is transmitted through direct animal-to-animal contact or by contact with saliva, urine, feces, blood, carcass parts of an infected animal or infected soil. To date, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization recommend that infected animals not be consumed as food by humans or domestic animals.
Since May 2015, CWD-positive deer have been found in Michigan. As of mid-March 2018, 57 free-ranging deer have tested positive for the disease. CWD has not been found in the Upper Peninsula, though it has been discovered in Wisconsin, approximately 40 miles from the western Upper Peninsula border.
The DNR is working with stakeholders to address the status of CWD in Michigan. In the coming weeks, the DNR and the Michigan Natural Resources Commission will host a series of public engagement meetings across the state on CWD. The sessions will provide hunters, business owners and residents with opportunities to share their ideas and observations.
In addition, the DNR, NRC and MDARD are evaluating recommendations from the CWD Working Group, which was created after last year’s CWD Symposium. The symposium brought national and international experts to Michigan to discuss CWD. During the coming months, the DNR, NRC and MDARD will work with stakeholders to develop new CWD regulation recommendations.
Visit www.michigan.gov/cwd for more information about the disease, preventive measures and the public meeting schedule.
Michigan CJD
Reported Cases of All Reportable Conditions
Michigan Disease Surveillance System
Cases Reported In The Last 4 Weeks**
Total Cases Reported In Each Of The Last 5 Years***
Disease Group Reportable Condition
Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease
6-2025 7-2025 8-2025 9-2025 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
0 0 1 1 15 18 26 23 4
WOW! Michigan cjd history
Snip…
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025
Michigan 2024 CWD Results
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America APRIL 11, 2025
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/distribution-chronic-wasting-disease-north-america-0
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America
By National Wildlife Health Center APRIL 11, 2025
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/distribution-chronic-wasting-disease-north-america-0
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
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
11/1/2025 ukn TX Limestone WTD Hunt No No 132 Quarantine
10/27/2025 3 YR Male WI Richland WTD Breeder Yes Yes ukn Depopulated
10/9/2025 2 YR Female TX Duvall WTD Breeder No No 94+ Quarantine
10/9/2025 2 YR Male PA Franklin WTD Breeder No No 23 Quarantine
Updated April 2026 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CASES
10/8/2025 3.5 YR Male PA Huntingdon WTD Hobby No No 2 Quarantine
10/8/2025 3 YR Male WI Portage WTD Fallow Hunt No No 132 Quarantine
9/26/2025 8.5 YR Female TX Navaro WTD Breeder No No 650 Quarantine
9/16/2025 3 YR Female PA Dauphin WTD Breeder Yes Yes 85 Quarantine
9/5/2025 3 YR Male TX Duvall WTD Breeder No No 107+ Quarantine
8/6/2025 Adult Female PA Fulton WTD Breeder No No 14 Quarantine
7/21/2025 4 YR Female PA Bedford WTD Breeder No No 34 Quarantine
6/3/2025 11 YR Female PA Blair WTD Breeder No No 45 Quarantine
6/3/2025 8 YR Female PA Bedford WTD Breeder No No 6 Quarantine
5/16/2025 5.5 YR Female WI Rock WTD Breeder No No ~46 Quarantine
5/14/2025 3 YR Female UT Weber Elk Hunt No No ukn Quarantine
4/30/2025 4.5 YR Male PA Jefferson WTD Hunt No No 36 Depopulated
Updated April 2026 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CASES
4/18/2025 10+ YR Ukn TX Zavala WTD Hunt No No 190 Quarantine
4/9/2025 6 YR Male MI Montcalm WTD Breeder No No 86 Quarantine
3/28/2025 3.5 YR Male PA Huntingdon WTD Hobby No No 2 Quarantine
3/28/2025 3.5 YR Female PA Wayne Red Deer Hunt No no 31 Depopulated
2/26/2025 1.5 YR Male TX Kauffman WTD Breeder Yes Yes 400 Quarantine
2/26/2025 3.5 Yr Male PA Lancaster WTD Breeder Yes Yes 105 Quarantine
2/21/2025 4 YR Male CO Montrose Elk Hunt No No 97 Quarantine
2/21/2025 7 YR Female MI Osceola WTD Hunt No No 201 Quarantine
2/10/2025 3.5 YR Male PA Perry WTD Hunt No No 15 Quarantine
1/7/2025 4 YR Female CO Mesa Elk Hunt No No 217 Quarantine
1/7/2025 2 YR Male UT Duchesne Elk Hunt No No 0 No animals
12/30/2024 4 YR Female ID Jefferson Elk Breeder No No 197 Quarantine
Updated April 2026
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
APHIS Announces Funding to Support Chronic Wasting Disease Control and Prevention
Washington, D.C., May 15, 2026—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will provide approximately $12 million to support efforts by States and Tribal governments, research institutions, and universities to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild and farmed cervids (e.g., deer, elk).
“Chronic wasting disease poses a serious threat to U.S. wildlife and agriculture. This funding reflects our commitment to working collaboratively with States, Tribes, and research partners to develop innovative solutions and protect the health of our nation’s cervid populations,” said Dr. Alan Huddleston, Acting U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer.
APHIS will competitively fund the most promising projects that develop innovative tools or methods, support State and Tribal CWD control programs at the local level and provide indemnity payments to cervid owners with pending claims. This includes:
Approximately $6 million to support critical projects to control and prevent CWD in farmed cervids,
Approximately $5.5 million to support research and management of CWD in wild cervids, and
Approximately $500,000 to support CWD prevention and management on Tribal lands.
CWD is an infectious, degenerative disease of cervids that causes brain cells to die, ultimately leading to the death of the affected animal. The incubation period can be lengthy, and infected animals may look healthy until the end stages of the disease, making it difficult to distinguish affected animals from healthy animals. Animals infected with CWD can transmit the disease to other animals during the “silent” incubation period. The disease has spread widely and the limited number of tools, as well as their efficacy, impacts the ability to effectively control the disease.
Cooperative agreement funding in previous years has resulted in the development and implementation of predictive genetics to assist farmed cervid owners in breeding for less susceptible deer, the removal of CWD-positive farmed cervid herds, increased diagnostic capabilities, increased CWD surveillance in wild cervid populations, hunter and public education, and carcass disposal options to reduce spread of CWD.
This year’s investment will allow State departments of agriculture, State animal health agencies, State departments of wildlife or natural resources, federally recognized Native American Tribal governments and organizations, and research institutions and universities to further develop and implement CWD research, management, and response activities.
###
10/27/2025 3 YR Male WI Richland WTD Breeder Yes Yes ukn Depopulated
10/9/2025 2 YR Female TX Duvall WTD Breeder No No 94+ Quarantine
10/9/2025 2 YR Male PA Franklin WTD Breeder No No 23 Quarantine
Updated April 2026 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CASES
10/8/2025 3.5 YR Male PA Huntingdon WTD Hobby No No 2 Quarantine
10/8/2025 3 YR Male WI Portage WTD Fallow Hunt No No 132 Quarantine
9/26/2025 8.5 YR Female TX Navaro WTD Breeder No No 650 Quarantine
9/16/2025 3 YR Female PA Dauphin WTD Breeder Yes Yes 85 Quarantine
9/5/2025 3 YR Male TX Duvall WTD Breeder No No 107+ Quarantine
8/6/2025 Adult Female PA Fulton WTD Breeder No No 14 Quarantine
7/21/2025 4 YR Female PA Bedford WTD Breeder No No 34 Quarantine
6/3/2025 11 YR Female PA Blair WTD Breeder No No 45 Quarantine
6/3/2025 8 YR Female PA Bedford WTD Breeder No No 6 Quarantine
5/16/2025 5.5 YR Female WI Rock WTD Breeder No No ~46 Quarantine
5/14/2025 3 YR Female UT Weber Elk Hunt No No ukn Quarantine
4/30/2025 4.5 YR Male PA Jefferson WTD Hunt No No 36 Depopulated
Updated April 2026 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CASES
4/18/2025 10+ YR Ukn TX Zavala WTD Hunt No No 190 Quarantine
4/9/2025 6 YR Male MI Montcalm WTD Breeder No No 86 Quarantine
3/28/2025 3.5 YR Male PA Huntingdon WTD Hobby No No 2 Quarantine
3/28/2025 3.5 YR Female PA Wayne Red Deer Hunt No no 31 Depopulated
2/26/2025 1.5 YR Male TX Kauffman WTD Breeder Yes Yes 400 Quarantine
2/26/2025 3.5 Yr Male PA Lancaster WTD Breeder Yes Yes 105 Quarantine
2/21/2025 4 YR Male CO Montrose Elk Hunt No No 97 Quarantine
2/21/2025 7 YR Female MI Osceola WTD Hunt No No 201 Quarantine
2/10/2025 3.5 YR Male PA Perry WTD Hunt No No 15 Quarantine
1/7/2025 4 YR Female CO Mesa Elk Hunt No No 217 Quarantine
1/7/2025 2 YR Male UT Duchesne Elk Hunt No No 0 No animals
12/30/2024 4 YR Female ID Jefferson Elk Breeder No No 197 Quarantine
Updated April 2026
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
APHIS Announces Funding to Support Chronic Wasting Disease Control and Prevention
Washington, D.C., May 15, 2026—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will provide approximately $12 million to support efforts by States and Tribal governments, research institutions, and universities to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild and farmed cervids (e.g., deer, elk).
“Chronic wasting disease poses a serious threat to U.S. wildlife and agriculture. This funding reflects our commitment to working collaboratively with States, Tribes, and research partners to develop innovative solutions and protect the health of our nation’s cervid populations,” said Dr. Alan Huddleston, Acting U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer.
APHIS will competitively fund the most promising projects that develop innovative tools or methods, support State and Tribal CWD control programs at the local level and provide indemnity payments to cervid owners with pending claims. This includes:
Approximately $6 million to support critical projects to control and prevent CWD in farmed cervids,
Approximately $5.5 million to support research and management of CWD in wild cervids, and
Approximately $500,000 to support CWD prevention and management on Tribal lands.
CWD is an infectious, degenerative disease of cervids that causes brain cells to die, ultimately leading to the death of the affected animal. The incubation period can be lengthy, and infected animals may look healthy until the end stages of the disease, making it difficult to distinguish affected animals from healthy animals. Animals infected with CWD can transmit the disease to other animals during the “silent” incubation period. The disease has spread widely and the limited number of tools, as well as their efficacy, impacts the ability to effectively control the disease.
Cooperative agreement funding in previous years has resulted in the development and implementation of predictive genetics to assist farmed cervid owners in breeding for less susceptible deer, the removal of CWD-positive farmed cervid herds, increased diagnostic capabilities, increased CWD surveillance in wild cervid populations, hunter and public education, and carcass disposal options to reduce spread of CWD.
This year’s investment will allow State departments of agriculture, State animal health agencies, State departments of wildlife or natural resources, federally recognized Native American Tribal governments and organizations, and research institutions and universities to further develop and implement CWD research, management, and response activities.
###
Farmed Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities Funding Opportunity FY 2026
Last Modified: May 15, 2026
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/funding/cwd/farmed-cervid-cwd-funding-opportunity-2026
Farmed Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2025 Cooperative Agreements
Farmed Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2025 Cooperative Agreements
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
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 Dashboard Update August 2025
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
***> TRUCKING CWD TSE PRION
“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
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
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/178/texas-game-wardens-conclusion-ghost
Texas CWD Cases 1,310 Cases Detected To Date May, 9, 2026
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/05/texas-cwd-cases-1310-cases-detected-to.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/218/texas-cases-detected-date-2026
MONDAY, MAY 05, 2026
TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION AGENCY STRATEGIC PLAN FISCAL YEARS 2025 - 2029 CWD TSE Prion
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/05/texas-animal-health-commission-agency.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/216/animal-health-commission-agency-strategic
***> 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?
***> 2026 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD TSE PRION
***> 2026 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD TSE Prion
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
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.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=328261
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/22/12/16-0635_article
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5189146/
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
"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
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
***> 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/
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
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
and so it seems…
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
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
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019
BSE infectivity survives burial for five years with only limited spread
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs00705-019-04154-8.pdf
Chronic wasting disease prions on deer feeders and wildlife visitation to deer feeding areas
First published: 10 February 2025
Snip…
Finally, we swabbed 19 feeders in 2 areas where CWD was newly detected, finding prion contamination on swabs from 4 feeders. We show that deer feeders in free-ranging populations with high CWD prevalence become contaminated with CWD prions quickly, becoming a potential site of exposure of deer to CWD prions. Our results also demonstrate the ability to find evidence of prion contamination on deer feeders, even in areas where CWD is newly detected.
Snip…
We found that supplemental feeding increased the risk of exposure to CWD prions due to contamination of feeders, increased deer visitation, and increased deer-to-deer contact.
The 12-fold increase in deer visitation to feeders compared to mast trees and 2-fold increase compared to food plots demonstrates increased risk for direct disease spread.
https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.70000
FRIDAY, MAY 01, 2026
Oklahoma House Bill 3270 FAILED, Great News for Hunters and Wildlife
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/05/oklahoma-house-bill-3270-failed-great.html
***> CWD Transmission To, Cattle, Pigs, Sheep, Primates, oh my!
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.
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
***> cwd to pigs
Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America Preliminary Outbreak Assessment DEFRA 26 January 2026
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
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.
Figure 1. Distribution of CWD in cervids in North America as of 11 April 2025 (USGS, 2025).Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Situation assessment
CWD is considered one of the most important cervid diseases due to its capacity for infectious spread, high mortality rate and associated socio-economic impacts on cervid farming and hunting-related industries (Kincheloe et al., 2021, CFSPH, 2024). The disease is always fatal, with no cure or vaccine (CFSPH, 2024).
CWD was first reported among captive cervids in the USA in the 1960s (Kincheloe et al., 2021). It has since been detected in captive and or free-ranging cervids in 36 US states and 5 Canadian provinces, as well as South Korea, Norway, Finland and Sweden (Silva, 2022, USGS, 2025). While the South Korean strains are thought to have originated from North America, the European strains appear to have emerged independently (Silva, 2022).
Transmission between cervids occurs by direct contact with infected animals or indirectly, through contact with a contaminated environment, most likely via the oral route (Otero et al., 2021). The disease may also be vertically transmitted from doe to fawn (Nalls et al., 2013, Salariu et al., 2015). Environmental contamination occurs when infected animals shed infectious prions in various secretions and excretions, such as urine, faeces and saliva (Otero et al., 2021). It can also occur when infected carcasses decompose and release prions into the surrounding soil and vegetation (Miller et al., 2004). The minimum number of CWD prions required to cause infection in cervids is unknown but appears to be low (Denkers et al., 2020).
The disease is difficult to control, as infected animals can also be subclinical for months or years. During this time, they can shed CWD prions, which can remain infectious in the environment for at least 2 years (Miller et al., 2004, CFSPH, 2024). Diagnosis usually relies on post-mortem tests, which may fail to identify infected animals during the early stages of the disease (CFSPH, 2024, CIDRAP, 2025). Control efforts are further hampered by lack of evidence to inform effective CWD management and control strategies (Uehlinger et al., 2016, Mori et al., 2024).
CWD in North American cervids
CWD has been reported in a range of North American cervids, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, black-tailed deer, moose, wapiti, reindeer (captive) and red deer (captive) (EFSA BIOHAZ Panel, 2023). It was first reported in captive mule deer and black-tailed deer at research facilities in Colorado and Wyoming in the late 1960s (Otero et al., 2021). These animals were derived from wild populations. The disease was later identified in Rocky Mountain elk at these facilities and subsequently, in free-ranging populations of mule deer and elk in Wyoming and Colorado. The geographic expansion of CWD in North America is thought to reflect the commercial movement of subclinical animals and natural cervid migration (Otero et al., 2021). Epidemiological data suggest that the disease spread from the USA to Canada and then to South Korea through imports of infected cervids (Otero et al., 2021). A retrospective analysis revealed that, in 1978, a Colorado‑born mule deer at Toronto Zoo in Ontario, Canada, died of CWD (Dubé et al., 2006). In 1996, the disease was detected in captive elk in Saskatchewan (Williams and Miller, 2002).
The disease
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
has since been detected in captive cervids in Alberta and Quebec and free-ranging cervids in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan (USGS, 2025). The origin of the outbreak in free-ranging Canadian cervids is unknown (Otero et al., 2021).
While the spread of CWD across North America is often described as ‘rapid,’ it has been suggested that this may reflect widening disease surveillance, rather than a ‘real-time’ indication of geographic spread. CWD epidemics appear to develop relatively slowly compared with other wildlife diseases (EFSA BIOHAZ Panel, 2023). Field and modelling data from North America suggest that it may take 15 to 20 years for CWD prevalence to reach 1% in free-ranging cervid populations, although more rapid transmission may occur in captive populations. The surveillance sensitivity in North America means that the disease may have been present for 10 years or more in some areas before it was detected (Miller et al., 2000).
The prevalence of CWD in affected populations or species varies across North America. In captive herds, prevalence may reach 100% over time, while in affected free-ranging populations, reported prevalence ranges from <1% to >30%. Most clinical cases are observed in cervids 2 to 7 years old, especially males, which is believed to be due to behavioural differences rather than differences in susceptibility between sexes (EFSA BIOHAZ Panel, 2023). At least 13 different risk factors may contribute towards CWD spread in North America, such as host genetics, high deer density or inappropriate disposal of deer carcasses and slaughter by-products (EFSA BIOHAZ Panel, 2019).
Approaches towards CWD control and surveillance in captive and free-ranging deer vary widely across North America within and between jurisdictions (CIDRAP, 2025). A summary of the measures in place in each US state and Canadian province is available from the CWD Alliance (2026), a coalition of wildlife conservation agencies, dedicated to providing accurate information on CWD and supporting strategies to minimise its impact on free-ranging cervids. Wildlife agencies rely on voluntary testing of hunted deer carcasses as the main mechanism for CWD surveillance and management, usually using post-mortem ELISA or immunohistochemistry methods (CIDRAP, 2025).
In the USA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) operates the CWD Herd Certification Programme (HCP) in collaboration with state and wildlife agencies. This is a voluntary scheme which aims to provide a consistent, national approach to controlling CWD in farmed cervids and preventing interstate spread by establishing control measures such as fencing, detailed record keeping and CWD testing of all cervids over 12 months old that die for any reason. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) operates a similar programme, the CWD Herd Certification Programme. As of December 2025, 28 states were participating in the USA’s CWD HCP and 5 Canadian provinces and one Canadian territory were participating in the Canadian programme (USDA, 2025b, CFIA, 2025).
Control methods fall within three general categories: prevention, containment, and control and suppression. Prevention and containment aim to prevent CWDDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs introduction into areas where it has not previously been reported and to limit its geographical spread once it has been introduced, respectively. Both tend to include regulatory measures such as bans on the movement of live cervids, cervid carcasses or specified risk materials. Control and suppression aim to stabilise or reduce infection rates within a herd or population through measures such as selective or random culling (EFSA BIOHAZ Panel, 2017).
Despite control efforts, CWD has continued to spread among captive and free- ranging cervids in North America, with increasing prevalence in affected areas (Uehlinger et al., 2016, CFSPH, 2024). Eradicating CWD from North America appears infeasible due to its extent of geographic spread and epidemiological characteristics, such as environmental persistence (EFSA BIOHAZ Panel, 2017).
CWD in wild pigs in the USA
Wild pigs are an invasive population in the USA, especially in the south (Figure 2). They comprise escaped domestic swine, Eurasian wild boar and hybrids of the two (Smyser et al., 2020). Wild pigs frequently coexist with cervids in areas where CWD is endemic and may be exposed to CWD prions through rooting in contaminated soil, scavenging deer carcasses and predation on fawns. These ecological interactions provide multiple routes by which wild pigs could encounter prions from infected deer (Soto et al. 2025).
Under experimental conditions, domestic pigs can become infected with CWD by oral and intracerebral routes, suggesting that wild pigs might also be susceptible. Domestic pigs rarely develop clinical signs of CWD but accumulate prions in the lymphoid tissues in their heads and gut, suggesting that, like cervids, they could shed the prions in saliva and faeces (Moore et al., 2017).
Against this background, Soto et al. (2025) investigated potential interactions between wild pigs and CWD prions. They analysed over 300 brain and lymph node samples from 178 wild pigs living across Arkansas and Texas, USA. The animals were captured by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) between 2020 and 2021. None of the pigs included in the study were reported to be displaying clinical signs of disease.
Using an ultra-sensitive laboratory method (protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA)), 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. These findings indicate that wild pigs are naturally exposed to CWD prions in areas where the disease is present (Soto et al., 2025).
When intracerebrally inoculated with tissues from wild pigs, a small proportion of mice expressing deer prion protein developed subclinical prion infection. No transmission was detected in mice expressing pig prion protein. This suggests that wild pig tissues only contain low levels of infectious prions and that wild pigs are relatively resistant to natural infection. However, they could still contribute to CWD transmission, influencing its epidemiology, geographic distribution and interspecies spread (Soto et al., 2025).Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs While their exact role and importance in CWD transmission is unclear, wild pigs have considerable home ranges in North America (1.1 to 5.32 km on average), which may increase when food is scarce. This mobility could complicate efforts to control the disease if they play a role in its transmission (Soto et al., 2025).
The USDA’s APHIS does not currently conduct active surveillance for CWD in wild pigs (USDA, 2025a).
Figure 2. Geographic distribution of wild pigs (purple) in the USA as of 27 January 2025, comprising escaped domestic pigs, Eurasian wild boar and hybrids of the two (adapted from USDA, 2026). Yellow (Texas) and green (Arkansas) circles indicate the states where CWD prions were detected in wild pig tissues.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Implications for Great Britain
CWD is a notifiable animal disease in Great Britain, but no cases have ever been reported (Defra and APHA, 2018, CIDRAP, 2025).
The introduction of CWD into Great Britain’s cervid population could have devastating socio-economic and animal welfare impacts, resulting in marked population declines, as seen in the USA (Miller et al., 2008). There could also be significant losses to cervid farming, hunting and rural tourism industries, as well as significant costs associated with controlling the spread of the disease. The UK venison market alone is worth an estimated £100 million (Scotland Food and Drink, 2018).
There are several discrete wild pig populations in Great Britain, including wild boar and feral pigs. The largest known population is in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, with an estimated 583 wild boar as of 2025/2026, although Forestry England (2025) aims to reduce the number to 400 to protect other species, such as plants and insects. Pockets of wild boar and feral pigs exist in other parts of the country, but their exact numbers are unknown (Mathews et al., 2018). The potential impact of CWD introduction into Great Britain’s wild pig population is uncertain because their role in disease transmission remains unclear. While they appear to be relatively resistant to natural CWD infection and disease, they could potentially contribute towards the maintenance and spread of CWD in Great Britain’s cervid population (Soto et al., 2025).
To reduce the risk of CWD introduction, Great Britain suspended the import of live cervids and high-risk cervid products in June 2023, including urine hunting lures, from all countries where CWD has been reported. Fresh cervid meat, excluding offal and spinal cord, can only be imported into Great Britain from CWD-affected countries if it has tested negative for CWD using an approved diagnostic method, such as immunohistochemistry, and originates from an area where CWD has not been reported or officially suspected in the last 3 years (Defra and APHA, 2026).
The current risk of CWD prions being introduced into Great Britain’s wild pig or cervid population ranges from very low (event is very rare but cannot be excluded) to negligible (event is so rare it does not merit consideration). This is based on the risk of incursion tool, developed by Roberts et al., (2011). It is also supported by a recent Defra and APHA (2025) risk assessment. While this assessment identified a few theoretical entry pathways, such as contaminated equipment, that could not be fully assessed due to limited data, there is no definitive evidence that they have ever resulted in the introduction of CWD into a new area.
Detection of CWD prions in wild pigs in the USA is unlikely to affect Great Britain’s CWD risk level, as the USA is not approved to export live wild pigs to Great Britain (Defra, 2025). Import of infected wild pig meat or wild pig by-products from the USA could theoretically introduce CWD prions into Great Britain, but the risk of this is also very low. To date, CWD prions have only been reported in lymph node and brain tissue samples in wild pigs, at levels too low to cause disease in mouse models
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Soto et al., 2025). However, their presence in other tissues cannot be excluded. The USA is approved to export wild pig meat and certain wild pig by-products to Great Britain, excluding offal, minced meat and germplasm (Defra, 2025), but there appears to be limited trade in these commodities.
It is difficult to quantify the exact amount of wild pig meat exported to Great Britain, as available trade data does not always distinguish between meat of wild and domestic pigs. However, based on HMRC data, the last known export of non- domestic pig meat from the USA to Great Britain was in 2013 (4,881 kg).
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;
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697a3b013c71d838df6bd413/CWD_Prions_in_Cervids_and_Wild_Pigs_in_North_America.pdf
Shedding, retention and spreading of chronic wasting disease prions in the environment
Project Number 2R01AI132695-06A1 Former Number 2R01AI132695-06 Contact PI/Project Leader MORALES, RODRIGO
Abstract Text
ABSTRACT
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a prion disease affecting natural and captive cervid populations. This disease is progressively spreading across the United States and new foci of infectivity are constantly being reported. Despite decades of research, there are still several unanswered questions concerning CWD.
Compelling evidence suggest that CWD prions enter the environment through carcasses from diseased animals or by the progressive accumulation of prions shed in excreta. Unfortunately, the role that plants, parasites, predators, and scavengers play in CWD spreading has been poorly studied. During the past funding cycle, our group made important technical and conceptual contributions in this field.
Data from our group and others (in collaboration) demonstrate that plants can bind prions into their surfaces as well as transport them from soils to leaves. This is relevant, considering that prions are shown to progressively accumulate in soils and strongly suggests plants as potential vectors for CWD transmission. Unfortunately, the previously mentioned evidence has been collected using proof-of-concept conditions, including the exposure of high titers of rodent (laboratory generated) adapted prions, and grass plants only.
We have generated preliminary data showing that carrots grown in CWD infected soil carry prions in their roots and leaves as evaluated by bioassays. In contrast, tomato plants do not share these features. The significance of these findings cannot be ignored considering the interaction of CWD prions with a human and animal edible vegetable. Considering the use of carrots roots and leaves in human and animal nutrition, and the still unknown zoonotic potential of CWD, future research involving edible plants is urgently needed.
Another relevant (published) finding from our laboratory involves the high CWD infectivity titers found in nasal bots, a common cervid parasite that develops in the nasal cavity (a hotspot of prion infectivity). These parasites are found in large quantities in CWD pre- clinical and clinical deer, and may importantly contribute to environmental CWD transmission. Our research also identified CWD prions in naturally exposed flies, ticks, and dermestid beetles. However, the prion infectivity titers in these parasites have not been evaluated.
Finally, animals other than cervids, including hunters and scavengers, are expected to be exposed to CWD prions. Interestingly, we identified CWD prions and de novo generated porcine prions in tissues from wild pigs living in areas with variable CWD epidemiology. We plan to further investigate all these events and their relevance in natural prion transmission using a complementary set of techniques, including in vitro and in vivo systems. Emphasis will be made in analyzing the strain properties and zoonotic potentials of the prion agents under investigation. For this purpose, we gathered a unique group of collaborators able to supply us with the samples and expertise required to execute this project. Outcomes from this research are expected to deliver new insights on this animal prionopathy and provide regulatory agencies with useful information to control its continuous spread.
Public Health Relevance Statement
PROJECT NARRATIVE Despite decades of research, several questions remain unanswered for the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) epidemic affecting several deer species in the United States. Continuing with our previous R01 project, we will explore novel factors mediating the spread of CWD prions, including different plant types, invertebrate parasites (e.g., ticks, nasal bots) and scavengers (wild boars). These potential disease vectors will be studied for their ability to transmit disease within and across species, including humans.
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/VYlhnadNtUiur19eYeRPog/project-details/11227445#description
Infectious prions in brains and muscles of domestic pigs experimentally challenged with the BSE, scrapie, and CWD agents
Authors: Francisca Bravo-Risi, Fraser Brydon, Angela Chong, Kane Spicker, Justin J. Greenlee, Glenn Telling, Claudio Soto, Sandra Pritzkow, Marcelo A. Barria, Rodrigo Morales
ABSTRACT
Experimental studies suggest that animal species not previously described as naturally infected by prions are susceptible to prion diseases affecting sheep, cattle, and deer. These interspecies transmissions may generate prions with unknown host ranges. Pigs are susceptible to prions from different origins, including deer chronic wasting disease (CWD), sheep scrapie, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Here, we studied prions in brains and muscles from pigs previously infected with these different prion sources. Specifically, we measured the total prion protein (PrP) and PK-resistant PrP by western blot. Seeding activity in these tissues was evaluated using the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) technique. We found that BSE-infected pigs contained substantially more seeding competent prions compared with those infected with CWD and scrapie. Moreover, the zoonotic potential of porcine-BSE prions seems to be relevant, as both brains and muscles from BSE-infected pigs induced the misfolding of the human prion protein in vitro. This study helps to understand the potential fate of naturally existing prion strains in a relevant host and calls for caution considering the co-existence between feral swine and other prion-susceptible animal species.
IMPORTANCE
Prions (PrPSc) are proteinaceous, infectious pathogens responsible for prion diseases. Some livestock are highly susceptible to prion diseases. These include cattle (bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE), sheep and goat (scrapie), and cervids (chronic wasting disease, CWD). Unfortunately, BSE has been reported to be naturally transmitted to humans and other animal species. Domestic pigs, a relevant livestock animal, have not been reported to be naturally affected by prions; however, they are susceptible to the experimental exposure to BSE, scrapie, and CWD prions. Given the widespread consumption of porcine food products by humans, we aimed to evaluate the levels of pig-derived BSE, scrapie, and CWD prions from experimentally challenged domestic pigs in brain and meat cuts (leg, cheek meat, skirt meat, and tenderloin). We detected pig-adapted prions in the brains and some muscles of these animals. Additionally, we evaluated the in vitro compatibility between pig prions and the human prion protein (as a surrogate of zoonosis). Our results show that only pig-derived BSE prions were able to induce the misfolding of the cellular human prion protein. This data highlights the consequences of prion spillovers to other animal species and their potential availability to humans.
Snip…
In summary, our data shows the dynamic of animal prions when exposed to infectious pigs, as well as their distributions and zoonotic potentials. The data presented here may be relevant to understanding the fate of naturally existing prions in a sympatric animal species relevant for human consumption. This acquires importance considering a recent report describing the interaction between CWD and wild pigs in natural settings.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.01800-25
Volume 31, Number 1—January 2025
Dispatch
Detection of Prions in Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) from Areas with Reported Chronic Wasting Disease Cases, United States
Paulina Soto, Francisca Bravo-Risi, Rebeca Benavente, Tucker H. Stimming, Michael J. Bodenchuk, Patrick Whitley, Clint Turnage, Terry R. Spraker, Justin Greenlee, Glenn Telling, Jennifer Malmberg, Thomas Gidlewski, Tracy Nichols, Vienna R. Brown, and Rodrigo Morales Author affiliation: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA (P. Soto, F. Bravo-Risi, R. Benavente, T.H. Stimming, R. Morales); Centro Integrativo de Biologia y Quimica Aplicada, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago, Chile (P. Soto, F. Bravo-Risi, R. Morales); US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA (M.J. Bodenchuk, P. Whitley, C. Turnage, J. Malmberg, T. Gidlewski, T. Nichols, V.R. Brown); Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA (T.R. Spraker, G. Telling); US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA (J. Greenlee)
Abstract
Using a prion amplification assay, we identified prions in tissues from wild pigs (Sus scrofa) living in areas of the United States with variable chronic wasting disease (CWD) epidemiology. Our findings indicate that scavenging swine could play a role in disseminating CWD and could therefore influence its epidemiology, geographic distribution, and interspecies spread.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease of particular concern because of its uncontrolled contagious spread among various cervid species in North America
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/distribution-chronic-wasting-disease-north-america
its recent discovery in Nordic countries (1), and its increasingly uncertain zoonotic potential (2). CWD is the only animal prion disease affecting captive as well as wild animals. Persistent shedding of prions by CWD-affected animals and resulting environmental contamination is considered a major route of transmission contributing to spread of the disease. Carcasses of CWD-affected animals represent relevant sources of prion infectivity to multiple animal species that can develop disease or act as vectors to spread infection to new locations.
Free-ranging deer are sympatric with multiple animal species, including some that act as predators, scavengers, or both. Experimental transmissions to study the potential for interspecies CWD transmissions have been attempted in raccoons, ferrets, cattle, sheep, and North American rodents (3–7). Potential interspecies CWD transmission has also been addressed using transgenic (Tg) mice expressing prion proteins (PrP) from relevant animal species (8). Although no reports of natural interspecies CWD transmissions have been documented, experimental studies strongly suggest the possibility for interspecies transmission in nature exists (3–7). Inoculation and serial passage studies reveal the potential of CWD prions to adapt to noncervid species, resulting in emergence of novel prion strains with unpredicted features (9–11).
Wild pigs (Sus scrofa), also called feral swine, are an invasive population comprising domestic swine, Eurasian wild boar, and hybrids of the 2 species (12). Wild pig populations have become established in the United States (Appendix Figure 1, panel A), enabled by their high rates of fecundity; omnivorous and opportunistic diet; and widespread, often human-mediated movement (13). Wild pigs scavenge carcasses on the landscape and have an intimate relationship with the soil because of their routine rooting and wallowing behaviors (14). CWD prions have been experimentally transmitted to domestic pigs by intracerebral and oral exposure routes (15), which is relevant because wild pigs coexist with cervids in CWD endemic areas and reportedly prey on fawns and scavenge deer carcasses. Considering the species overlap in many parts of the United States (Appendix Figure 1, panel 😎, we studied potential interactions between wild pigs and CWD prions.
Snip…
Conclusions
In summary, results from this study showed that wild pigs are exposed to cervid prions, although the pigs seem to display some resistance to infection via natural exposure. Future studies should address the susceptibility of this invasive animal species to the multiple prion strains circulating in the environment. Nonetheless, identification of CWD prions in wild pig tissues indicated the potential for pigs to move prions across the landscape, which may, in turn, influence the epidemiology and geographic spread of CWD.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-0401_article
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PrPSc accumulates in lymphoid tissues from pigs challenged intracranially or orally with the CWD agent, and can be detected as early as 4 months after challenge. CWD-infected pigs rarely develop clinical disease and if they do, they do so after a long incubation period. This raises the possibility that CWD-infected pigs could shed prions into their environment long before they develop clinical disease. Furthermore, lymphoid tissues from CWD-infected pigs could present a potential source of CWD infectivity in the animal and human food chains.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=337105
THURSDAY, JANUARY 08, 2026
Confucius Ponders, what about Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) and CWD TSE Prion, and the Environment, what if?
Confucius Ponders, what about Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa), they can cover some distance rather quickly, what about Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) digging up the terrain, and as they do it, what if these Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) were exposed to CWD TSE Prion, and then they go on exposing and saturating the land with CWD TSE Prion, then the soil becomes contaminated with CWD TSE Prion, then what about the plants that grow from that soil for the decades to come, what if???
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/190/confucius-ponders-wild-pigs-scrofa
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/01/confucius-ponders-what-about-wild-pigs.html
***> CWD to sheep, Scrapie to Cervid
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
***> However, at 51 months of incubation or greater, 5 animals were positive by one or more diagnostic methods. Furthermore, positive bioassay results were obtained from all inoculated groups (oral and intracranial; market weight and end of study) suggesting that swine are potential hosts for the agent of scrapie. <***
*** Although the current U.S. feed ban is based on keeping tissues from TSE infected cattle from contaminating animal feed, swine rations in the U.S. could contain animal derived components including materials from scrapie infected sheep and goats. These results indicating the susceptibility of pigs to sheep scrapie, coupled with the limitations of the current feed ban, indicates that a revision of the feed ban may be necessary to protect swine production and potentially human health. <***
***> Results: PrPSc was not detected by EIA and IHC in any RPLNs. All tonsils and MLNs were negative by IHC, though the MLN from one pig in the oral <6 month group was positive by EIA. PrPSc was detected by QuIC in at least one of the lymphoid tissues examined in 5/6 pigs in the intracranial <6 months group, 6/7 intracranial >6 months group, 5/6 pigs in the oral <6 months group, and 4/6 oral >6 months group. Overall, the MLN was positive in 14/19 (74%) of samples examined, the RPLN in 8/18 (44%), and the tonsil in 10/25 (40%).
***> Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PrPSc accumulates in lymphoid tissues from pigs challenged intracranially or orally with the CWD agent, and can be detected as early as 4 months after challenge. CWD-infected pigs rarely develop clinical disease and if they do, they do so after a long incubation period. This raises the possibility that CWD-infected pigs could shed prions into their environment long before they develop clinical disease. Furthermore, lymphoid tissues from CWD-infected pigs could present a potential source of CWD infectivity in the animal and human food chains.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=353091
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/project/?accnNo=432011&fy=2017
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
snip…
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
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD vs Scrapie TSE Prion
Volume 30, Number 8—August 2024
Research
Scrapie Versus Chronic Wasting Disease in White-Tailed Deer
Zoe J. Lambert1, Jifeng Bian, Eric D. Cassmann, M. Heather West Greenlee, and Justin J. Greenlee
Author affiliations: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA (Z.J. Lambert); US Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA (Z.J. Lambert, J. Bian, E.D. Cassmann, J.J. Greenlee); Iowa State University, Ames (Z.J. Lambert, M.H. West Greenlee) Suggested citation for this article
Abstract
White-tailed deer are susceptible to scrapie (WTD scrapie) after oronasal inoculation with the classical scrapie agent from sheep. Deer affected by WTD scrapie are difficult to differentiate from deer infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD). To assess the transmissibility of the WTD scrapie agent and tissue phenotypes when further passaged in white-tailed deer, we oronasally inoculated wild-type white-tailed deer with WTD scrapie agent. We found that WTD scrapie and CWD agents were generally similar, although some differences were noted. The greatest differences were seen in bioassays of cervidized mice that exhibited significantly longer survival periods when inoculated with WTD scrapie agent than those inoculated with CWD agent. Our findings establish that white-tailed deer are susceptible to WTD scrapie and that the presence of WTD scrapie agent in the lymphoreticular system suggests the handling of suspected cases should be consistent with current CWD guidelines because environmental shedding may occur.
snip…
The potential for zoonoses of cervid-derived PrPSc is still not well understood (6,18,45–47); however, interspecies transmission can increase host range and zoonotic potential (48–50). Therefore, to protect herds and the food supply, suspected cases of WTD scrapie should be handled the same as cases of CWD.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/8/24-0007_article
Western blots done on samples from the brainstem, cerebellum, and lymph nodes of scrapie-infected WTD have a molecular profile similar to CWD and distinct from western blots of samples from the cerebral cortex, retina, or the original sheep scrapie inoculum. WTD are susceptible to the agent of scrapie from sheep and differentiation from CWD may be difficult.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=336834
Component 6: Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies
Sheep scrapie agent can infect white-tailed deer after oronasal exposure.
The origin of chronic wasting disease (CWD) is not known, but it has many similarities to the sheep prion disease called scrapie. It has long been hypothesized that CWD arose through transmission of sheep scrapie to deer. ARS researchers in Ames, Iowa, conducted research to determine if scrapie derived from sheep could be transmitted to white-tailed deer. The deer inoculated with sheep scrapie developed clinical signs and the abnormal prion protein could be detected in a wide range of tissues. These results indicate that deer may be susceptible to sheep scrapie if exposed to the disease in natural or agricultural settings. In addition, several strong similarities between CWD in white-tailed deer and the experimental cases of scrapie in white-tailed deer suggests that it would be difficult to distinguish scrapie from CWD in deer or identify scrapie if a case occurs. This information should be considered by deer farmers for keeping their herds free from prion diseases.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/np103/AnnualReports/NP103%20FY2023%20Annual%20Report_Final.pdf
It has long been hypothesized that CWD arose through transmission of sheep scrapie to deer. ARS researchers in Ames, Iowa, conducted research to determine if scrapie derived from sheep could be transmitted to white-tailed deer. The deer inoculated with sheep scrapie developed clinical signs and the abnormal prion protein could be detected in a wide range of tissues. These results indicate that deer may be susceptible to sheep scrapie if exposed to the disease in natural or agricultural settings. In addition, several strong similarities between CWD in white-tailed deer and the experimental cases of scrapie in white-tailed deer suggests that it would be difficult to distinguish scrapie from CWD in deer or identify scrapie if a case occurs. This information should be considered by deer farmers for keeping their herds free from prion diseases.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/np103/AnnualReports/NP103%20FY2023%20Annual%20Report_Final.pdf
Scrapie, Humans, Zoonotic, what if?
=====
Transmission of scrapie prions to primate after an extended silent incubation period
*** In complement to the recent demonstration that humanized mice are susceptible to scrapie, we report here the first observation of direct transmission of a natural classical scrapie isolate to a macaque after a 10-year incubation period. Neuropathologic examination revealed all of the features of a prion disease: spongiform change, neuronal loss, and accumulation of PrPres throughout the CNS.
*** This observation strengthens the questioning of the harmlessness of scrapie to humans, at a time when protective measures for human and animal health are being dismantled and reduced as c-BSE is considered controlled and being eradicated.
*** Our results underscore the importance of precautionary and protective measures and the necessity for long-term experimental transmission studies to assess the zoonotic potential of other animal prion strains.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?SEQ_NO_115=313160
***Moreover, sporadic disease has never been observed in breeding colonies or primate research laboratories, most notably among hundreds of animals over several decades of study at the National Institutes of Health25, and in nearly twenty older animals continuously housed in our own facility.***
Even if the prevailing view is that sporadic CJD is due to the spontaneous formation of CJD prions, it remains possible that its apparent sporadic nature may, at least in part, result from our limited capacity to identify an environmental origin.
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep11573
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=361032
O.05: Transmission of prions to primates after extended silent incubation periods: Implications for BSE and scrapie risk assessment in human populations
*** We recently observed the direct transmission of a natural classical scrapie isolate to macaque after a 10-year silent incubation period,
***with features similar to some reported for human cases of sporadic CJD, albeit requiring fourfold long incubation than BSE. Scrapie, as recently evoked in humanized mice (Cassard, 2014),
***is the third potentially zoonotic PD (with BSE and L-type BSE),
***thus questioning the origin of human sporadic cases.
==============
PRION 2015 CONFERENCE
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5019500/
PRION 2016 TOKYO
Saturday, April 23, 2016
SCRAPIE WS-01: Prion diseases in animals and zoonotic potential 2016
Prion. 10:S15-S21. 2016 ISSN: 1933-68961933-690X
WS-01: Prion diseases in animals and zoonotic potential
***Transmission data also revealed that several scrapie prions propagate in HuPrP-Tg mice with efficiency comparable to that of cattle BSE. While the efficiency of transmission at primary passage was low, subsequent passages resulted in a highly virulent prion disease in both Met129 and Val129 mice.
***Transmission of the different scrapie isolates in these mice leads to the emergence of prion strain phenotypes that showed similar characteristics to those displayed by MM1 or VV2 sCJD prion.
***These results demonstrate that scrapie prions have a zoonotic potential and raise new questions about the possible link between animal and human prions.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19336896.2016.1163048?journalCode=kprn20
Title: Transmission of scrapie prions to primate after an extended silent incubation period)
*** In complement to the recent demonstration that humanized mice are susceptible to scrapie, we report here the first observation of direct transmission of a natural classical scrapie isolate to a macaque after a 10-year incubation period. Neuropathologic examination revealed all of the features of a prion disease: spongiform change, neuronal loss, and accumulation of PrPres throughout the CNS.
*** This observation strengthens the questioning of the harmlessness of scrapie to humans, at a time when protective measures for human and animal health are being dismantled and reduced as c-BSE is considered controlled and being eradicated.
*** Our results underscore the importance of precautionary and protective measures and the necessity for long-term experimental transmission studies to assess the zoonotic potential of other animal prion strains.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?SEQ_NO_115=313160
*** Grant Agreement number: 222887 ***
*** Project acronym: PRIORITY ***
*** Project title: Protecting the food chain from prions: shaping European priorities through basic and applied research Funding ***
Scheme: Large-scale integrating project Period covered: from Oct. 1, 2009 to Sept. 30, 2014
Name of the scientific representative of the project's co-ordinator1, Title and Organisation: Jesús R. Requena, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spàin. Tel: 34-881815464 Fax: 34-881815403 E-mail: jesus.requena@usc.es
Project website¡ Error! Marcador no definido. address: www.prionpriority.eu
PRIORITY, PROJECT FINAL REPORT
*** 14) Concluding that atypical scrapie can transmit to Humans and that its strain properties change as it transmits between species ***
snip...
http://cordis.europa.eu/docs/results/222/222887/final1-priority-final-report.pdf
2026 CWD
Chronic Wasting Disease in Texas A Real Disease with Proven Impacts
Produced by a coalition of concerned hunters, landowners, & conservationists (last update 1/2025)
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b93f528938ac48e9b56dcc79953cbec0
Aug 18, 2021
Oh, Deer
Heading Off a Wildlife Epidemic
CWD poses a significant threat to the future of hunting in Texas. Deer population declines of 45 and 50 percent have been documented in Colorado and Wyoming. A broad infection of Texas deer populations resulting in similar population impacts would inflict severe economic damage to rural communities and could negatively impact land markets. Specifically, those landowners seeking to establish a thriving herd of deer could avoid buying in areas with confirmed CWD infections. As they do with anthrax-susceptible properties, land brokers may find it advisable to inquire about the status of CWD infections on properties that they present for sale. Prospective buyers should also investigate the status of the wildlife on prospective properties. In addition, existing landowners should monitor developments as TPWD crafts management strategies to identify and contain this deadly disease.
Dr. Gilliland (c-gilliland@tamu.edu) is a research economist with the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.
www.recenter.tamu.edu/articles/tierra-grande/oh-d
Chronic Wasting Disease in Texas A Real Disease with Proven Impacts
Produced by a coalition of concerned hunters, landowners, & conservationists (last update 1/2025)
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b93f528938ac48e9b56dcc79953cbec0
Aug 18, 2021
Oh, Deer
Heading Off a Wildlife Epidemic
CWD poses a significant threat to the future of hunting in Texas. Deer population declines of 45 and 50 percent have been documented in Colorado and Wyoming. A broad infection of Texas deer populations resulting in similar population impacts would inflict severe economic damage to rural communities and could negatively impact land markets. Specifically, those landowners seeking to establish a thriving herd of deer could avoid buying in areas with confirmed CWD infections. As they do with anthrax-susceptible properties, land brokers may find it advisable to inquire about the status of CWD infections on properties that they present for sale. Prospective buyers should also investigate the status of the wildlife on prospective properties. In addition, existing landowners should monitor developments as TPWD crafts management strategies to identify and contain this deadly disease.
Dr. Gilliland (c-gilliland@tamu.edu) is a research economist with the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.
www.recenter.tamu.edu/articles/tierra-grande/oh-d
***> CWD to Primates and Humans, what if?
So, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?
***> CWD TSE Prion Zoonotic Zoonosis Humans, What if? <***
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://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
Fortuitous generation of a zoonotic cervid prion strain
Aims: Whether CWD prions can infect humans remains unclear despite the very substantial scale and long history of human exposure of CWD in many states or provinces of USA and Canada. Multiple in vitro conversion experiments and in vivo animal studies indicate that the CWD-to-human transmission barrier is not unbreakable. A major long-term public health concern on CWD zoonosis is the emergence of highly zoonotic CWD strains. We aim to address the question of whether highly zoonotic CWD strains are possible.
Materials and Methods: We inoculated several sCJD brain samples into cervidized transgenic mice (Tg12), which were intended as negative controls for bioassays of brain tissues from sCJD cases who had potentially been exposed to CWD. Some of the Tg12mice became infected and their brain tissues were further examined by Western blot as well as serial passages in humanized or cervidized mice.
Results: Passage of sCJDMM1 in transgenic mice expressing elk PrP (Tg12) resulted in a “cervidized” CJD strain that we termed CJDElkPrP. We observed 100% transmission of the original CJDElkPrP in transgenic mice expressing human PrP. We passaged CJDElkPrP two more times in the Tg12mice. We found that such second and third passage CJDElkPrP prions retained 100% transmission rate in the humanized mice, despite that the natural elk CWD isolates and CJDElkPrP share the same elk PrP sequence. In contrast, we and others found zero or poor transmission of natural elk CWD isolates in humanized mice.
Conclusions: Our data indicate that highly zoonotic cervid prion strains are not only possible but also can retain zoonotic potential after serial passages in cervids, suggesting a very significant and serious long-term risk of CWD zoonosis given that the broad and continuing spread of CWD prions will provide fertile grounds for the emergence of zoonotic CWD strains over time.
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
Transmission of cervid prions to humanized mice demonstrates the zoonotic potential of CWD
Samia Hannaoui1 · Irina Zemlyankina1 · Sheng Chun Chang1 · Maria Immaculata Arifn1 · Vincent Béringue2 · Debbie McKenzie3 · Hermann M. Schatzl1 · Sabine Gilch1
Received: 24 May 2022 / Revised: 5 August 2022 / Accepted: 7 August 2022
© The Author(s) 2022
Abstract
Prions cause infectious and fatal neurodegenerative diseases in mammals. Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disease of cervids, spreads efficiently among wild and farmed animals. Potential transmission to humans of CWD is a growing concern due to its increasing prevalence. Here, we provide evidence for a zoonotic potential of CWD prions, and its probable signature using mice expressing human prion protein (PrP) as an infection model. Inoculation of these mice with deer CWD isolates resulted in atypical clinical manifestation with prion seeding activity and efficient transmissible infectivity in the brain and, remarkably, in feces, but without classical neuropathological or Western blot appearances of prion diseases. Intriguingly, the protease-resistant PrP in the brain resembled that found in a familial human prion disease and was transmissible upon second passage. Our results suggest that CWD might infect humans, although the transmission barrier is likely higher compared to zoonotic transmission of cattle prions. Notably, our data suggest a different clinical presentation, prion signature, and tissue tropism, which causes challenges for detection by current diagnostic assays. Furthermore, the presence of infectious prions in feces is concerning because if this occurs in humans, it is a source for human-to-human transmission. These findings have strong implications for public health and CWD management.
Keywords Chronic wasting disease · CWD · Zoonotic potential · Prion strains · Zoonotic prions
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS STUDY
================================
Our results suggest that CWD might infect humans, although the transmission barrier is likely higher compared to zoonotic transmission of cattle prions. Notably, our data suggest a different clinical presentation, prion signature, and tissue tropism, which causes challenges for detection by current diagnostic assays. Furthermore, the presence of infectious prions in feces is concerning because if this occurs in humans, it is a source for human-to-human transmission. These findings have strong implications for public health and CWD management.
In this study, we evaluated the zoonotic potential of CWD using a transgenic mouse model overexpressing human M129-PrPC (tg650 [12]). We inoculated tg650mice intracerebrally with two deer CWD isolates, Wisc-1 and 116AG [22, 23, 27, 29]. We demonstrate that this transgenic line was susceptible to infection with CWD prions and displayed a distinct leading clinical sign, an atypical PrPSc signature and unusual fecal shedding of infectious prions. Importantly, these prions generated by the human PrP transgenic mice were transmissible upon passage. Our results are the first evidence of a zoonotic risk of CWD when using one of the most common CWD strains, Wisc-1/CWD1 for infection. We demonstrated in a human transgenic mouse model that the species barrier for transmission of CWD to humans is not absolute. The fact that its signature was not typical raises the questions whether CWD would manifest in humans as a subclinical infection, whether it would arise through direct or indirect transmission including an intermediate host, or a silent to uncovered human-to-human transmission, and whether current detection techniques will be suffcient to unveil its presence.
Our findings strongly suggest that CWD should be regarded as an actual public health risk. Here, we use humanized mice to show that CWD prions can cross the species barrier to humans, and remarkably, infectious prions can be excreted in feces.
Our results indicate that if CWD crosses the species-barrier to humans, it is unlikely to resemble the most common forms of human prion diseases with respect to clinical signs, tissue tropism and PrPSc signature. For instance, PrPSc in variable protease-sensitive prionopathy (VPSPr), a sporadic form of human prion disease, and in the genetic form Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS) is defined by an atypical PK-resistant PrPSc fragment that is non-glycosylated and truncated at both C- and N-termini, with a molecular weight between 6 and 8 kDa [24, 44–46]. These biochemical features are unique and distinctive from PrPSc (PrP27-30) found in most other human or animal prion disease. The atypical PrPSc signature detected in brain homogenate of tg650 mice #321 (1st passage) and #3063 (2nd passage), and the 7–8 kDa fragment (Figs. 2, 4) are very similar to that of GSS, both in terms of migration profile and the N-terminal cleavage site.
CWD in humans might remain subclinical but with PrPSc deposits in the brain with an unusual morphology that does not resemble the patterns usually seen in different prion diseases (e.g., mouse #328; Fig. 3), clinical with untraceable abnormal PrP (e.g., mouse #327) but still transmissible and uncovered upon subsequent passage (e.g., mouse #3063; Fig. 4), or prions have other reservoirs than the usual ones, hence the presence of infectivity in feces (e.g., mouse #327) suggesting a potential for human-to-human transmission and a real iatrogenic risk that might be unrecognizable.
“suggesting a potential for human-to-human transmission and a real iatrogenic risk that might be unrecognizable.”
=================================
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-022-02482-9
snip...see full text;
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00401-022-02482-9
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00401-022-02482-9.pdf
Transmission of Cervid Prions to Humanized Mice Demonstrates the Zoonotic Potential of CWD
Samia Hannaouia, Irina Zemlyankinaa, Sheng Chun Changa, Maria Immaculata Arifina, Vincent Béringueb, Debbie McKenziec, Hermann M. Schatzla, and Sabine Gilcha
Results: Here, we provide the strongest evidence supporting the zoonotic potential of CWD prions, and their possible phenotype in humans. Inoculation of mice expressing human PrPCwith deer CWD isolates (strains Wisc-1 and 116AG) resulted in atypical clinical manifestations in > 75% of the mice, with myoclonus as leading clinical sign. Most of tg650brain homogenates were positive for seeding activity in RT-QuIC. Clinical disease and presentation was transmissible to tg650mice and bank voles. Intriguingly, protease-resistant PrP in the brain of tg650 mice resembled that found in a familial human prion disease and was transmissible upon passage. Abnormal PrP aggregates upon infection with Wisc-1 were detectable in thalamus, hypothalamus, and midbrain/pons regions.
Unprecedented in human prion disease, feces of CWD-inoculated tg650 mice harbored prion seeding activity and infectious prions, as shown by inoculation of bank voles and tg650 with fecal homogenates.
Conclusions: This is the first evidence that CWD can infect humans and cause disease with a distinctive clinical presentation, signature, and tropism, which might be transmissible between humans while current diagnostic assays might fail to detect it. These findings have major implications for public health and CWD-management.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19336896.2022.2091286
Macaque tissues to rodent models demonstrates the zoonotic potential of chronic wasting disease.
Samia Hannaoui1,2, Ginny Cheng1,2, Wiebke Wemheuer3, Walter Schulz-Schaeffer3, Sabine Gilch1,2, Hermann Schatzl1,2 1University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. 2Calgary Prion Research Unit, Calgary, Canada. 3Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
Snip…
***> Further passage to cervidized mice revealed transmission with a 100% attack rate.
***> Our findings demonstrate that macaques, considered the best model for the zoonotic potential of prions, were infected upon CWD challenge, including the oral one.
****> The disease manifested as atypical in macaques and initial transgenic mouse transmissions, but with infectivity present at all times, as unveiled in the bank vole model with an unusual tissue tropism.
***> Epidemiologic surveillance of prion disease among cervid hunters and people likely to have consumed venison contaminated with chronic wasting disease
=====
https://intcwdsympo.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/final-agenda-with-abstracts.pdf?force_download=true
18. Zoonotic potential of moose-derived chronic wasting disease prions after adaptation in intermediate species
Tomás Barrioa, Jean-Yves Doueta, Alvina Huora, Séverine Lugana, Naïma Arona, Hervé Cassarda, Sylvie L. Benestadb, Juan Carlos Espinosac, Juan María Torresc, Olivier Andréolettia
aUnité Mixte de Recherche de l’Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement 1225 Interactions Hôtes-Agents Pathogènes, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076 Toulouse, France; bNorwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 64, NO-1431 Ås, Norway; cCentro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), 28130, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
Aims: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging prion disease in Europe. To date, cases have been reported in three Nordic countries and in several species, including reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), moose (Alces alces) and red deer (Cervus elaphus). Cumulating data suggest that the prion strains responsible for the European cases are distinct from those circulating in North America. The biological properties of CWD prions are still poorly documented, in particular their spillover and zoonotic capacities. In this study, we aimed at characterizing the interspecies transmission potential of Norwegian moose CWD isolates.
Materials and Methods: For that purpose, we performed experimental transmissions in a panel of transgenic models expressing the PrPC sequence of various species.
Results: On first passage, one moose isolate propagated in the ovine PrPC-expressing model (Tg338). After adaptation in this host, moose CWD prions were able to transmit in mice expressing either bovine or human PrPC with high efficacy.
Conclusions: These results suggest that CWD prions can acquire enhanced zoonotic properties following adaptation in an intermediate species.
Funding
Grant number: AAPG2020 EU-CWD, ICRAD2020 TCWDE, NRC2022 NorCWD
Acknowledgement
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19336896.2024.2424058
“ After adaptation in this host, moose CWD prions were able to transmit in mice expressing either bovine or human PrPC with high efficacy.”
“Also, we do not claim that "no-one has ever been infected with prion disease from eating venison." Our conclusion stating that we found no strong evidence of CWD transmission to humans in the article you quoted or in any other forum is limited to the patients we investigated.”
*** now, let’s see what the authors said about this casual link, personal communications years ago, and then the latest on the zoonotic potential from CWD to humans from the TOKYO PRION 2016 CONFERENCE.
see where it is stated NO STRONG evidence. so, does this mean there IS casual evidence ????
“Our conclusion stating that we found no strong evidence of CWD transmission to humans”
Subject: CWD aka MAD DEER/ELK TO HUMANS ???
Date: September 30, 2002 at 7:06 am PST
From: "Belay, Ermias"
To: Cc: "Race, Richard (NIH)" ; ; "Belay, Ermias"
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 9:22 AM
Subject: RE: TO CDC AND NIH - PUB MED- 3 MORE DEATHS - CWD - YOUNG HUNTERS
Dear Sir/Madam, In the Archives of Neurology you quoted (the abstract of which was attached to your email), we did not say CWD in humans will present like variant CJD.. That assumption would be wrong. I encourage you to read the whole article and call me if you have questions or need more clarification (phone: 404-639-3091).
Also, we do not claim that "no-one has ever been infected with prion disease from eating venison." Our conclusion stating that we found no strong evidence of CWD transmission to humans in the article you quoted or in any other forum is limited to the patients we investigated.
Ermias Belay, M.D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Subject: TO CDC AND NIH - PUB MED- 3 MORE DEATHS - CWD - YOUNG HUNTERS
Sunday, November 10, 2002 6:26 PM .......snip........end..............TSS
-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 10:15 AM
To: rr26k@nih.gov; rrace@niaid.nih.gov; ebb8@CDC.GOV
Subject: TO CDC AND NIH - PUB MED- 3 MORE DEATHS - CWD - YOUNG HUNTERS
Sunday, November 10, 2002 6:26 PM .......snip........end..............TSS
Thursday, April 03, 2008
A prion disease of cervids: Chronic wasting disease 2008 1: Vet Res. 2008 Apr 3;39(4):41 A prion disease of cervids: Chronic wasting disease Sigurdson CJ.
snip...
*** twenty-seven CJD patients who regularly consumed venison were reported to the Surveillance Center, however there have been no unusual or novel prion subtypes that might indicate the appearance of a new prion strain [7, 41].
snip... full text ;
https://www.vetres.org/articles/vetres/abs/2008/04/v08092/v08092.html
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2008/04/prion-disease-of-cervids-chronic.html
“regular venison eating associated with a 9 FOLD INCREASE IN RISK OF CJD”
Subject: Re: DEER SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY SURVEY & HOUND STUDY
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 23:12:22 +0100
From: Steve Dealler Reply-To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Organization: Netscape Online member
To: BSE-L@ …
######## Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy <BSE-L@UNI-KARLSRUHE.DE> #########
Dear Terry,
An excellent piece of review as this literature is desparately difficult to get back from Government sites. What happened with the deer was that an association between deer meat eating and sporadic CJD was found in about 1993. The evidence was not great but did not disappear after several years of asking CJD cases what they had eaten. I think that the work into deer disease largely stopped because it was not helpful to the UK industry...and no specific cases were reported.
Well, if you dont look adequately like they are in USA currenly then you wont find any!
Steve Dealler
########### http://mailhost.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/warc/bse-l.html ############
Subject: DEER SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY SURVEY & HOUND STUDY
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr." <flounder@WT.NET>
Reply To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy <BSE-L@UNI-KARLSRUHE.DE>
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 17:04:51 -0700
snip...
''The association between venison eating and risk of CJD shows similar pattern, with regular venison eating associated with a 9 FOLD INCREASE IN RISK OF CJD (p = 0.04).''
CREUTZFELDT JAKOB DISEASE SURVEILLANCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THIRD ANNUAL REPORT AUGUST 1994
snip...see full report ;
http://web.archive.org/web/20090506050043/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1994/08/00004001.pdf
http://web.archive.org/web/20090506050007/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1994/10/00003001.pdf
http://web.archive.org/web/20090506050244/http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1994/07/00001001.pdf
Stephen Dealler is a consultant medical microbiologist deal@airtime.co.uk BSE Inquiry Steve Dealler Management In Confidence BSE: Private Submission of Bovine Brain Dealler
snip...end
########### http://mailhost.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/warc/bse-l.html ############
*** These results would seem to suggest that CWD does indeed have zoonotic potential, at least as judged by the compatibility of CWD prions and their human PrPC target. Furthermore, extrapolation from this simple in vitro assay suggests that if zoonotic CWD occurred, it would most likely effect those of the PRNP codon 129-MM genotype and that the PrPres type would be similar to that found in the most common subtype of sCJD (MM1).***
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.4161/pri.28124?src=recsys
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.4161/pri.28124?needAccess=true
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/20/1/13-0858_article
Two Hunters from the Same Lodge Afflicted with Sporadic CJD: Is Chronic Wasting Disease to Blame?
(P7-13.002) Jonathan Trout, Matthew Roberts, Michel Tabet, Eithan Kotkowski, and Sarah HornAUTHORS INFO & AFFILIATIONS April 9, 2024 issue 102 (17_supplement_1) https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000204407
Abstract Publication History Information & Authors Metrics & Citations Share Abstract
Objective:
This study presents a cluster of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) cases after exposure to chronic wasting disease (CWD)-infected deer, suggestive of potential prion transmission from CWD-infected deer to humans.
Background:
CJD is a rapidly progressive central nervous system disorder caused by misfolded prion proteins. CWD, a prion disease prevalent in North American deer, has raised concerns due to its possible link to CJD. Although no conclusive evidence of cross-species prion transmission exists, vigilance for such cases is crucial for public health.
Design/Methods:
Not applicable.
Results:
In 2022, a 72-year-old man with a history of consuming meat from a CWD-infected deer population presented with rapid-onset confusion and aggression. His friend, who had also eaten venison from the same deer population, recently died of CJD, raising concerns about a potential link between CWD and human prion disease. Despite aggressive symptomatic treatment of seizures and agitation, the patient’s condition deteriorated and he died within a month of initial presentation. The diagnosis was confirmed postmortem as sporadic CJD with homozygous methionine at codon 129 (sCJDMM1). The patient’s history, including a similar case in his social group, suggests a possible novel animal-to-human transmission of CWD. Based on non-human primate and mouse models, cross-species transmission of CJD is plausible. Due to the challenge of distinguishing sCJDMM1 from CWD without detailed prion protein characterization, it is not possible to definitively rule out CWD in these cases. Although causation remains unproven, this cluster emphasizes the need for further investigation into the potential risks of consuming CWD-infected deer and its implications for public health.
Conclusions:
Clusters of sporadic CJD cases may occur in regions with CWD-confirmed deer populations, hinting at potential cross-species prion transmission. Surveillance and further research are essential to better understand this possible association.
Disclosure: Mr. Trout has nothing to disclose. Dr. Roberts has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tabet has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kotkowski has nothing to disclose. Dr. Horn has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Cala Trio. The institution of Dr. Horn has received research support from Alzheimer's Association.
https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000204407
TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2021
A Unique Presentation of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in a Patient Consuming Deer Antler Velvet
Conclusion
We believe that our patient’s case of CJD is highly suspicious for cervid etiology given the circumstances of the case as well as the strong evidence of plausibility reported in published literature. This is the first known case of CJD in a patient who had consumed deer antler velvet. Despite the confirmed diagnosis of CJD, a causal relationship between the patient’s disease and his consumption of deer antler velvet cannot be definitively concluded.
Supplemental data including molecular tissue sample analysis and autopsy findings could yield further supporting evidence. Given this patient’s clinical resemblance to CBD and the known histological similarities of CBD with CJD, clinicians should consider both diseases in the differential diagnosis of patients with a similarly esoteric presentation. Regardless of the origin of this patient’s disease, it is clear that the potential for prion transmission from cervids to humans should be further investigated by the academic community with considerable urgency.
https://thescipub.com/pdf/ajidsp.2021.43.48.pdf
''We believe that our patient’s case of CJD is highly suspicious for cervid etiology given the circumstances of the case as well as the strong evidence of plausibility reported in published literature. This is the first known case of CJD in a patient who had consumed deer antler velvet. Despite the confirmed diagnosis of CJD, a causal relationship between the patient’s disease and his consumption of deer antler velvet cannot be definitively concluded.''
https://thescipub.com/pdf/ajidsp.2021.43.48.pdf
CREUTZFELDT JAKOB DISEASE: A Unique Presentation of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in a Patient Consuming Deer Antler Velvet
i was warning England and the BSE Inquiry about just this, way back in 1998, and was ask to supply information to the BSE Inquiry. for anyone that might be interested, see;
Singeltary submission to the BSE Inquiry on CJD and Nutritional Supplements 1998
ABOUT that deer antler spray and CWD TSE PRION... I have been screaming this since my neighbors mom died from cjd, and she had been taking a supplement that contained bovine brain, bovine eyeball, and other SRMs specified risk materials, the most high risk for mad cow disease. just saying...
I made a submission to the BSE Inquiry long ago during the BSE Inquiry days, and they seemed pretty interested.
Sender: "Patricia Cantos"
To: "Terry S Singeltary Sr. (E-mail)"
Subject: Your submission to the Inquiry
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 1998 10:10:05 +0100 3 July 1998
Mr Terry S Singeltary Sr. E-Mail: Flounder at wt.netRef: E2979
Dear Mr Singeltary, Thank you for your E-mail message of the 30th of June 1998 providing the Inquiry with your further comments. Thank you for offering to provide the Inquiry with any test results on the nutritional supplements your mother was taking before she died. As requested I am sending you our general Information Pack and a copy of the Chairman's letter. Please contact me if your system cannot read the attachments. Regarding your question, the Inquiry is looking into many aspects of the scientific evidence on BSE and nvCJD.
I would refer you to the transcripts of evidence we have already heard which are found on our internet site at ;
http://www.bse.org.uk.
Could you please provide the Inquiry with a copy of the press article you refer to in your e-mail? If not an approximate date for the article so that we can locate it? In the meantime, thank you for you comments. Please do not hesitate to contact me on... snip...end...tss
everyone I tell this too gets it screwed up...MY MOTHER WAS NOT TAKING THOSE SUPPLEMENTS IPLEX (that I ever knew of). this was my neighbors mother that died exactly one year previously and to the day of sporadic CJD that was diagnosed as Alzheimer’s at first. my mother died exactly a year later from the Heidenhain Variant of Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease hvCJD, and exceedingly rare strains of the ever growing sporadic CJD’s. both cases confirmed. ...kind regards, terry
So, this is what we leave our children and grandchildren?
2001 Singeltary on CJD, Journal of American Medical Association
February 14, 2001
Diagnosis and Reporting of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Terry S. Singeltary, Sr
Author Affiliations
JAMA. 2001;285(6):733-734. doi:10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-285-6-jlt0214
To the Editor: In their Research Letter, Dr Gibbons and colleagues1 reported that the annual US death rate due to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) has been stable since 1985. These estimates, however, are based only on reported cases, and do not include misdiagnosed or preclinical cases. It seems to me that misdiagnosis alone would drastically change these figures. An unknown number of persons with a diagnosis of Alzheimer disease in fact may have CJD, although only a small number of these patients receive the postmortem examination necessary to make this diagnosis. Furthermore, only a few states have made CJD reportable. Human and animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies should be reportable nationwide and internationally.
February 14, 2001
Diagnosis and Reporting of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Terry S. Singeltary, Sr
Author Affiliations
JAMA. 2001;285(6):733-734. doi:10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-285-6-jlt0214
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/1031186
RE-Monitoring the occurrence of emerging forms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the United States 2003 Singeltary Journal of Neurology
26 MARCH 2003
RE-Monitoring the occurrence of emerging forms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the United States
Terry S. Singeltary, retired (medically)
I lost my mother to hvCJD (Heidenhain Variant CJD). I would like to comment on the CDC's attempts to monitor the occurrence of emerging forms of CJD. Asante, Collinge et al [1] have reported that BSE transmission to the 129-methionine genotype can lead to an alternate phenotype that is indistinguishable from type 2 PrPSc, the commonest sporadic CJD. However, CJD and all human TSEs are not reportable nationally. CJD and all human TSEs must be made reportable in every state and internationally. I hope that the CDC does not continue to expect us to still believe that the 85%+ of all CJD cases which are sporadic are all spontaneous, without route/source. We have many TSEs in the USA in both animal and man. CWD in deer/elk is spreading rapidly and CWD does transmit to mink, ferret, cattle, and squirrel monkey by intracerebral inoculation. With the known incubation periods in other TSEs, oral transmission studies of CWD may take much longer. Every victim/family of CJD/TSEs should be asked about route and source of this agent. To prolong this will only spread the agent and needlessly expose others. In light of the findings of Asante and Collinge et al, there should be drastic measures to safeguard the medical and surgical arena from sporadic CJDs and all human TSEs. I only ponder how many sporadic CJDs in the USA are type 2 PrPSc?
https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/01.WNL.0000036913.87823.D6
2023
https://creutzfeldt-jakob-disease.blogspot.com/2023/09/professor-john-collinge-on-tackling.html
is this what we leave our Children and Grandchildren?
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at
3:48 PM
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