Big CWD press release coming

[flounder9]

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Kimble County Deer Breeding Facility

Sept. 13, 2023

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030


News Image Share on Facebook Share Release URL

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) received confirmation of a case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a deer-breeding facility in Kimble County, marking the second such detection in a deer-breeding facility located in the county.

A six-year-old doe tested positive through an antemortem (live-animal) test conducted to meet annual CWD surveillance requirements for the facility, and postmortem testing confirmed the initial result.

Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in College Station initially analyzed the samples, with the National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirming the CWD detection.

CWD has an incubation period that can span years, meaning the first indication in a herd may likely come through surveillance testing rather than observed clinical signs. Early detection and proactive monitoring improve the state’s response time to the detection of CWD and can greatly reduce the risk of further disease spread.

Prior to the beginning of all deer hunting seasons, TPWD will establish a surveillance zone encompassing a two-mile radius from this recent detection. All hunter harvested deer from this new zone must be presented at a check station location, yet to be determined, within 48 hours of harvesting the deer. All affected landowners within this zone will be contacted by the department after the zone boundaries are established.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease found in certain cervids including deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family. This slow, progressive disease may not produce visible signs in susceptible species for several years after infection. As the irreversible disease process continues, animals with CWD may show changes in behavior and appearance. Clinical signs may include progressive weight loss, stumbling or tremors with a lack of coordination, loss of appetite, teeth grinding, abnormal head posture and/or drooping ears, and excessive thirst, salivation or urination.

In Texas, the disease was first discovered in 2012 in free-ranging mule deer along a remote area of the Hueco Mountains near the Texas-New Mexico border. CWD has since been detected in Texas captive and free-ranging cervids, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer and elk.

For more information on previous detections in Texas and CWD best management practices for hunters and landowners, visit TPWD’s CWD page. The recently updated page includes a map of all CWD zones, check stations and positive case tracking. This webpage can be utilized to find answers to frequently asked questions, view videos with information from wildlife veterinarians and review the latest news.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20230913a&utm_campaign=govdelivery-email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

[SC-001]

Great, just heard about Kimble this morning, it sounds like CWD cases are soaring in Texas breeding facilities, may be time for the state to shut these down.

[M16]

Great, just heard about Kimble this morning, it sounds like CWD cases are soaring in Texas breeding facilities, may be time for the state to shut these down.

It’s a little late for that. Should have been done when it was detected in the first breeder facility. Nobody to blame but TP&W. They allowed deer breeders to spread it all over the state. Can’t put the genie back in the bottle. But at least the squirrel sheriffs and the state will figure out a way to profit off their incompetence. Look for lots of new laws to violate when transporting your deer.

[BTLowry]

It’s a little late for that. Should have been done when it was detected in the first breeder facility. Nobody to blame but TP&W. They allowed deer breeders to spread it all over the state. Can’t put the genie back in the bottle. But at least the squirrel sheriffs and the state will figure out a way to profit off their incompetence. Look for lots of new laws to violate when transporting your deer.

Yep

Basically opened Pandora's box and no closing it back up now

[dclifton]

I havent kept up with it like i should. But did listen to a podcast on Big Honker a while back where they interview Robert Williams with RW ranch in Terrell. Interesting to hear his side of it and what they have done to him.

[flounder9]

CWD TSE PRION CERVID ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS 2023

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

Detection of prions in soils contaminated by multiple routes

Stuart Siegfried Lichtenberg1,2 , Heather Inzalaco3 , Sam Thomas4 , Dan Storm5 , Dan Walsh6

1Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A. 2Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A. 3 Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A 4Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A. 5Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S.A. 6U.S. Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, U.S.A.

Aims: Free-ranging animals afflicted with transmissible spongiform encephalopathies frequently shed infectious prions into the broader environment. The quintessential example is chronic wasting disease, the TSE of cervids. Over the course of the disease, an infected animal will shed infectious prions in blood, urine, saliva, and feces. Upon death, the total prion load interred in the animal’s tissues will be deposited wherever the animal falls. This contamination creates substantial risk to na?ve animals, and likely contributes to disease spread. Identification and quantification of prions at contamination hotspots is essential for any attempt at mitigation of environmental transmission.

Materials and Methods: Surfactant extraction of soils followed by precipitation yields a sample that is amenable to analysis by real-time quaking induced conversion. However, differences in extraction yield are apparent depending on the properties of the matrix from which the prions are being extracted, principally soil clay content.

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

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

=====end

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

Marissa S. Milstein1,2, Marc D. Schwabenlander1,2, Sarah C. Gresch1,2, Manci Li1,2, Stuart Lichtenberg1,2, Rachel Shoemaker1,2, Gage R. Rowden1,2, Jason C. Bartz2,3 , Tiffany M. Wolf2,4, Peter A. Larsen1,2

Presenting author: Tiffany M. Wolf 1 Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 2 Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA 3 Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA 4 Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Aims: There is a growing concern that chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions in venison pose a risk to human health. CWD prions accumulate in infected deer tissues that commonly enter the human food chain through meat processing and consumption. The United States (US) Food and Drug Administration and US Department of Agriculture now formally consider CWD-positive venison unfit for human and animal consumption. Yet, the degree to which prion contamination occurs during routine venison processing is unknown. Here, we use environmental surface swab methods to: a) experimentally test meat processing equipment (i.e., stainless steel knives and polyethylene cutting boards) before and after processing CWD-positive venison and b) test the efficacy of five different disinfectant types (i.e., Dawn dish soap, Virkon-S, Briotech, 10% bleach, and 40% bleach) to determine prion decontamination efficacy.

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

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

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

Acknowledgement: Funding was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), the Rapid Agriculture Response Fund (#95385/RR257), and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Theme: Animal prion diseases

=====end

Prion 2023 Abstracts

https://prion2023.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Meeting-book-final-version2.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.../vir.0.82011-0

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

CWD TSE PRION CERVID ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS 2023

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2023/10/cwd-tse-prion-cervid-environmental-risk.html

[flounder9]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

=====end

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

Nuria Jerez-Garrido1, Sara Canoyra1, Natalia Fern?ndez-Borges1, Alba Mar?n Moreno1, Sylvie L. Benestad2, Olivier Andreoletti3, Gordon Mitchell4, Aru Balachandran4, Juan Mar?a Torres1 and Juan Carlos Espinosa1. 1 Centro de Investigaci?n en Sanidad Animal, CISA-INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain. 2 Norwegian Veterinary Institute, ?s, Norway. 3 UMR Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)/?cole Nationale V?t?rinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Interactions H?tes Agents Pathog?nes, Toulouse, France. 4 Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Canada.

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

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

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

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

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

Grant number: PCI2020-120680-2 ICRAD

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


=====end

https://prion2023.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Meeting-book-final-version2.pdf


Ruminant feed ban for cervids in the United States ?

Posted by flounder on 31 Jan 2015 at 20:14 GMT

Friday, December 14, 2012

DEFRA U.K. What is the risk of Chronic Wasting Disease CWD being introduced into Great Britain? A Qualitative Risk Assessment October 2012

snip...

In the USA, under the Food and Drug Administration’s BSE Feed Regulation (21 CFR 589.2000) most material (exceptions include milk, tallow, and gelatin) from deer and elk is prohibited for use in feed for ruminant animals. With regards to feed for non-ruminant animals, under FDA law, CWD positive deer may not be used for any animal feed or feed ingredients. For elk and deer considered at high risk for CWD, the FDA recommends that these animals do not enter the animal feed system. However, this recommendation is guidance and not a requirement by law.

Animals considered at high risk for CWD include:

1) animals from areas declared to be endemic for CWD and/or to be CWD eradication zones and

2) deer and elk that at some time during the 60-month period prior to slaughter were in a captive herd that contained a CWD-positive animal.

Therefore, in the USA, materials from cervids other than CWD positive animals may be used in animal feed and feed ingredients for non-ruminants.

The amount of animal PAP that is of deer and/or elk origin imported from the USA to GB can not be determined, however, as it is not specified in TRACES. It may constitute a small percentage of the 8412 kilos of non-fish origin processed animal proteins that were imported from US into GB in 2011.

Overall, therefore, it is considered there is a __greater than negligible risk___ that (nonruminant) animal feed and pet food containing deer and/or elk protein is imported into GB.

There is uncertainty associated with this estimate given the lack of data on the amount of deer and/or elk protein possibly being imported in these products.

snip...

36% in 2007 (Almberg et al., 2011). In such areas, population declines of deer of up to 30 to 50% have been observed (Almberg et al., 2011). In areas of Colorado, the prevalence can be as high as 30% (EFSA, 2011). The clinical signs of CWD in affected adults are weight loss and behavioural changes that can span weeks or months (Williams, 2005). In addition, signs might include excessive salivation, behavioural alterations including a fixed stare and changes in interaction with other animals in the herd, and an altered stance (Williams, 2005). These signs are indistinguishable from cervids experimentally infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Given this, if CWD was to be introduced into countries with BSE such as GB, for example, infected deer populations would need to be tested to differentiate if they were infected with CWD or BSE to minimise the risk of BSE entering the human food-chain via affected venison.

snip...

The rate of transmission of CWD has been reported to be as high as 30% and can approach 100% among captive animals in endemic areas (Safar et al., 2008).

snip...

In summary, in endemic areas, there is a medium probability that the soil and surrounding environment is contaminated with CWD prions and in a bioavailable form. In rural areas where CWD has not been reported and deer are present, there is a greater than negligible risk the soil is contaminated with CWD prion.

snip...

In summary, given the volume of tourists, hunters and servicemen moving between GB and North America, the probability of at least one person travelling to/from a CWD affected area and, in doing so, contaminating their clothing, footwear and/or equipment prior to arriving in GB is greater than negligible. For deer hunters, specifically, the risk is likely to be greater given the increased contact with deer and their environment. However, there is significant uncertainty associated with these estimates.

snip...

Therefore, it is considered that farmed and park deer may have a higher probability of exposure to CWD transferred to the environment than wild deer given the restricted habitat range and higher frequency of contact with tourists and returning GB residents.

snip...

http://webarchive.nationa...

https://web.archive.org/web/20170404125557/http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130822084033/http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/files/qra_chronic-wasting-disease-121029.pdf

Friday, December 14, 2012

DEFRA U.K. What is the risk of Chronic Wasting Disease CWD being introduced into Great Britain? A Qualitative Risk Assessment October 2012

https://web.archive.org/web/20160128180140/http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2012/12/defra-uk-what-is-risk-of-chronic.html

[flounder9]

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Medina County Deer Breeding Facility

Oct. 24, 2023

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030


News Image Share on Facebook Share Release URL

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) received confirmation of a case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Medina County, marking the fifth detection since 2015 in a deer-breeding facility in the county.

A one-year-old buck tested positive through an antemortem (live-animal) test conducted to meet annual CWD surveillance requirements for the facility.

Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Lab initially analyzed the samples, and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa confirmed the CWD detection.

CWD has an incubation period that can span years, so the first indication of the disease in a herd is often found through surveillance testing rather than observed clinical signs. Early detection and proactive monitoring improve the state’s response time to the detection of CWD and can greatly reduce the risk of further disease spread.

Due to this recent detection, TPWD may establish a surveillance zone encompassing a two-mile radius. Any hunter harvesting a deer on a property that is wholly or partially encompassed by the zone will be subject to CWD zone rules. All hunter-harvested deer from this new zone must be presented at the Hondo check station location within 48 hours of harvesting the deer.

All affected landowners within this zone will be contacted by the department after the zone boundaries are established.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease found in certain cervids including deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family. This slow, progressive disease may not produce visible signs in susceptible species for several years after infection. As the irreversible disease process continues, animals with CWD may show changes in behavior and appearance. Clinical signs may include progressive weight loss, stumbling or tremors with a lack of coordination, loss of appetite, teeth grinding, abnormal head posture and/or drooping ears, and excessive thirst, salivation or urination.

In Texas, the disease was first discovered in 2012 in free-ranging mule deer along a remote area of the Hueco Mountains near the Texas-New Mexico border. CWD has since been detected in Texas captive and free-ranging cervids, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer and elk.

For more information on previous detections in Texas and CWD best management practices for hunters and landowners, visit TPWD’s CWD page. The recently updated page includes a map of all CWD zones, check stations and positive case tracking. This webpage can be utilized to find answers to frequently asked questions, view videos with information from wildlife veterinarians and review the latest news.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20231024a

[flounder9]

TEXAS CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RISES SUBSTANTIALLY TO 575 CONFIRMED CWD CASES TO DATE

Listing of CWD Cases in Texas

Show 25

Positive Number CWD Positive Confirmation Date Free Range Captive County Source Species Sex Age

575 2023-10-26 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer M 2.3

574 2023-10-26 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 4.3

573 2023-10-26 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 3.3

572 2023-10-26 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer M 3.4

571 2023-10-26 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 2.3

570 2023-10-19 White-tailed Deer Medina Facility D-I-Y Projects White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer M 1.2

569 2023-10-26 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Release Site F 3.5

568 2023-10-24 Elk Medina Facility Blogs Elk - Breeder Release Site M Unknown

567 2023-10-24 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 2.3

566 2023-10-24 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 3.3

565 2023-10-12 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 0.3

564 2023-09-19 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer M 6.2

563 2023-09-19 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 3.3

562 2023-09-19 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 3.1

561 2023-09-12 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer M 0.2

560 2023-09-12 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 3.2

559 2023-09-12 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 2.1

558 2023-09-12 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 3.2

557 2023-09-11 White-tailed Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 3.1

556 2023-09-11 Elk Dallam N/A Elk - Free Range M Unknown

555 2023-09-07 White-tailed Deer Kimble Facility Public Hunting Opportunities White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 6.2

554 2023-09-08 Mule Deer El Paso N/A Mule Deer - Free Range F 4.5

553 2023-09-08 Breeder Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 4.1

552 2023-09-08 Breeder Deer Hunt Facility Albums White-tailed Deer - Breeder Deer F 13.1

snip...see all of the 575 CWD Positive Cervid in Texas, multiple pages;

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/positive-cases/listing-cwd-cases-texas.phtml#texasCWD

June 14th of 2023 the CWD Positive tally was at 508 confirmed cases in Texas.
TODAY, November 1st, 2023, that total increased to 575 CWD Confirmed Cases, to date, in Texas.
AN increase of 67 CWD positive cases in 4+ months for Texas...WOW!

[Beargrasstx]

I see total confirmed but before we go sky is falling, what is the total number of deer tested? I would like to see percentage tested vs confirmed. I know we are testing way more thsn ever before so there will be more positives

[flounder9]

I see total confirmed but before we go sky is falling, what is the total number of deer tested? I would like to see percentage tested vs confirmed. I know we are testing way more thsn ever before so there will be more positives

Trying to compare TPWD TAHC et al CWD testing figures for WTD from captive to wild is not comparable. there are roughly 5.3 Million WTD in Texas. There is no way to wrangle every wild deer, kill them, and test them with validated CWD testing to date. Further to the point, from cwd testing figures when it was at 505 confirmed CWD Positives (now at 575 cwd confirmed, with all but two being breeders or breeder release, since then), “A total of 505 cervids (including white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk) have tested positive for CWD in Texas. Free-ranging deer have accounted for 101 of those cases while 404 are associated with a breeding facility or breeder release site.” so, to date, roughly 472 cwd positive cases are captive breeder/breeder release sites, compared to the 103 cwd positive free range cases.

to date;

472 cwd positives from breeder/breeder release, captive cervids

vs

103 cwd positives from free range cervid

to date!

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

Texas CWD figures still stuck on 508 cwd positives, there have been more cases confirmed since that count...terry

Texas cwd testing figures

5.3 Million WTD Texas

https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/land/habitats/post_oak/deer/#:~:text=Whether%20you%E2%80%99re%20a%20hunter%20o r%20just%20like%20to,in%20urban%20communities%20to %20the%20most%20remote%20rangelands.

Texas Cwd 2017 testing

Total CWD Testing in Texas Since Finding CWD in 2012:

• TPWD Tests: 36,215 and Other/Private Tests: 82,222= Total Tests: 118,437 (This includes postmortem and live testing).

• Total Live Testing in Texas Since Rule Implementation: TPWD Live Tests: 178 and Other/Private Tests: 24,255= Total Tests: 24,433

Total CWD Positives in Texas: Free Range: 18 and Captive Cervid: 33= Total Positives: 51

• Total CWD Tests Since Finding Disease: Total Tests: 118,437

• Estimated CWD Prevalence: .04%

https://www.usaha.org/upload/Committee/2017Reports/Farmed_Cervidae_Report_2017_FINA.docx

Annually, TPWD collects 12,000 to 15,000 samples from deer in the free-ranging population.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/landowners/faqs.phtml

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/landowners/

Annually, TPWD collects 12,000 to 15,000 samples from deer in the free-ranging population.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/landowners/faqs.phtml

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/landowners/

USAHA Report of the Subcommittee on Farmed Cervidae CWD TSE Prion Herds 2015 to 2023

Reports

Report of the Subcommittee on Farmed Cervidae

The Subcommittee on Farmed Cervidae met on October 26, 2015.

http://www.usaha.org/upload/Committee/captive/report-cwal-2015.pdf

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK CWD 2016

http://www.usaha.org/upload/Committee/2016Reports/Captive_Wildlife_Report_2016.pdf

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK CWD 2017

snip...

Update on CWD Ante-mortem Testing-Texas and Wisconsin

Scott Bugai, Private Practitioner

Dr. Bugai’s presentation explained there are four ante-mortem diagnostic tests for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) prion diseases: 1) Nictitating membrane, or “third eyelid,” biopsy; 2) Palatine tonsillar lymphoid tissue biopsy (tonsil biopsy); 3) Rectoanal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (RAMALT) biopsy (rectal biopsy) and 4) Medial Retropharyngeal Lymph Node Biopsy.

IHC in tonsillar lymphoid tissue. Sensitivity = 97.3% and Specificity = 100%

Total CWD Testing in Texas Since Finding CWD in 2012:

• TPWD Tests: 36,215 and Other/Private Tests: 82,222= Total Tests: 118,437 (This includes postmortem and live testing).

• Total Live Testing in Texas Since Rule Implementation: TPWD Live Tests: 178 and Other/Private Tests: 24,255= Total Tests: 24,433

Total CWD Positives in Texas: Free Range: 18 and Captive Cervid: 33= Total Positives: 51

• Total CWD Tests Since Finding Disease: Total Tests: 118,437

• Estimated CWD Prevalence: .04%

Cervid Health Update-Status of Updated CWD Standards, TB/Brucellosis Rule

https://www.usaha.org/upload/Committee/2017Reports/Farmed_Cervidae_Report_2017_FINA.docx

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK CWD 2018

https://www.usaha.org/upload/Committee/2018Reports/2018_Farmed_Cervidae_KLJbdr.docx

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK CWD 2019

Cervid Health Update- Status of Updated CWD Standards, TB/Brucellosis Rule, Overview of CWD Nationwide

Dr. Tracy Nichols, USDA-APHIS VS

Dr. Nichols provided an overview of the voluntary Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program. The revised CWD Standards was published in May 2019 and now in effect. There are 28 states participating in the Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program, which includes 2,100 enrolled cervid herds with over 1,700 currently certified. 17 new cervid herds were identified with CWD in FY 2019.

https://www.usaha.org/upload/Committee/Farmed%20Cervidae/Farmed_Cervidae_Report_2019.pdf

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK CWD 2020

Presentations and Reports

USDA-APHIS-VS Annual Update from the Cervid Health Team

Tracy Nichols, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS)

Fiscal Year (FY) 2020

Voluntary Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program (HCP)

https://www.usaha.org/upload/Committee/2020Reports/Farmed_Cervidae_Report_2020.pdf

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK CWD 2021

Presentations and Reports

2021 USAHA Cervid Section Summary USDA-APHIS-VS Cervid Health Program

Tracy Nichols, USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

FY2021 CWD Detections in Farmed Cervids: There were 35 new chronic wasting disease (CWD) positive farmed cervid herds in FY21 (31 white-tailed deer, 1 elk, 3 mixed species herds). Twenty-three of the herds were not participants in the Federal Herd Certification Program (HCP), four were enrolled, but not certified, in the HCP, and eight were certified in the HCP. Twenty-one of the 35 newly identified herds were in areas where CWD has been found within 20 miles in wild cervid populations.

***> While resistant alleles have been identified in cervids, a PRNP variant that completely prevents CWD has not yet been identified.

https://www.usaha.org/upload/Committee/2021Reports/2021_Farmed_Cervidae.docx

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CAPTIVE WILDLIFE AND ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK CWD 2022

Three presentations were given during the October 10, 2022 meeting. The following presentation summaries were given starting in order at number one:

https://www.usaha.org/upload/Committee/2022Reports/2022_Farmed_Cervidae.docx

https://www.usaha.org/farmed-cervidae

Each year, Texas captive deer breeders liberate 20,000-30,000 deer from their pens to the wild.

For every deer breeding facility where a CWD positive deer is discovered, an epidemiological investigation is conducted by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission to determine how many other deer may have been exposed to the disease and where they have been shipped. Because of the prolific artificial movement of captive deer, one deer with CWD can impact hundreds of other facilities and ranches across the state.

Unfortunately, released deer in Texas are not required to retain any kind of visible identification (an ear tag), and for this reason, the vast majority of released deer cannot be relocated for testing.

As of August 2023, 116 Texas counties have received possibly infected breeder deer that cannot be located, putting more than 140,000 landowners at risk of the disease.

Snip

The state of Texas has been testing for CWD since 2002. Since that time, more than 302,360 captive and free range deer have been tested.

From 2015-2022, more than 127,000 samples were collected from hunter-harvested and roadkill deer. This sampling rate and risk-based distribution provides scientists confidence that they would have detected the disease if it existed at a very low prevalence (<1%) in any given region at the time sampling began.

Snip…See the full text with maps, graphs, much more, excellent data…

https://bit.ly/3xL16Gm

Since 2012, CWD has been detected in wild deer in just 7 counties in Texas and is only established in the western panhandle and far west Texas.

In that same period of time, captive deer breeders have exposed almost half of Texas counties to CWD.

https://bit.ly/3xL16Gm

As of August 2023, 116 Texas counties have received possibly infected breeder deer that cannot be located, putting more than 140,000 landowners at risk of the disease.

https://bit.ly/3xL16Gm

“It is interesting to note that, in 2001, the State of Texas shifted its deer management strategies toward the same leanings that Kroll has suggested for Wisconsin. In Texas, the change was brought about via heavy lobbying from the high-fence deer ranching industry. This pressure helped convince the Texas Parks and Wildlife to change their regulations and allow private landowners to select the own deer biologists.”

http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/which-side-fence-are-you

2012 “For 10 years, Texas has had an aggressive Chronic Wasting Disease prevention and monitoring program. Wildlife agency regulations prohibit importing deer into the state, and the agency has tested more than 26,000 hunter-taken deer and 7,400 animals from the captive-deer industry. None of those deer tested positive.”

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Brain-eating-disease-found-in-Texas-deer-3697731.php

terry

[flounder9]

TAHC Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Cherokee County Deer Breeding Facility

For Immediate Release

November 17, 2023

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Cherokee County Deer Breeding Facility

AUSTIN, TX — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) received confirmation of a case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Cherokee County, marking the first detection in a deer breeding facility in the county.

A four-year-old buck tested positive using postmortem testing conducted to meet annual CWD surveillance requirements for the facility.

Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory initially analyzed the samples, and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa confirmed the CWD detection.

CWD has an incubation period that can span years, so the first indication of the disease in a herd is often found through surveillance testing rather than observed clinical signs. Early detection and proactive monitoring improve the state’s response time to the detection of CWD and can greatly reduce the risk of further disease spread.

Any person interested in having their harvest tested for CWD should contact a local biologist, found on the TPWD website.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease found in certain cervids including deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family. This slow, progressive disease may not produce visible signs in susceptible species for several years after infection. As the disease process continues, animals with CWD may show changes in behavior and appearance. Clinical signs may include progressive weight loss, stumbling or tremors with a lack of coordination, loss of appetite, teeth grinding, abnormal head posture and/or drooping ears, and excessive thirst, salivation or urination.

In Texas, the disease was first discovered in 2012 in free-ranging mule deer along a remote area of the Hueco Mountains near the Texas-New Mexico border. CWD has since been detected in Texas captive and free-ranging cervids, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer and elk.

For more information on previous detections in Texas and CWD best management practices for hunters and landowners, visit TPWD's CWD page or the TAHC's CWD page.

###

https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/2023/2023-11-17_CWD_CherokeeCo.pdf

Texas CWD Surveillance Positives

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

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD Captive Herds updated April 2023

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/cervid/cervids-cwd/cervids-voluntary-hcp

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD Captive Herds updated April 2023

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/cwd/downloads/status-of-captive-herds.pdf

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE PrP in Texas

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b93f528938ac48e9b56dcc79953cbec0

terry

[flounder9]

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2023

TPWD Chronic Wasting Disease Detected at Kerr Wildlife Management Area Captive Deer Research Facility

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2023/12/tpwd-chronic-wasting-disease-detected.html

terry

[brokeno]

They need to stop testing with a test that is not reliable. This reminds me of the cattle bangs test years ago where they tested cattle and branded them with a big B and could only butcher them. The tests are unreliable. Just close all breeder pens and cut down all high fences, problem solved and f j b

[flounder9]

TEXAS CWD TSE PRION DIRE CONSEQUENCES ARE HERE!

Texas TPWD CWD Update

TITLE 31. NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION PART 2. TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

CHAPTER 65. WILDLIFE

SUBCHAPTER B. DISEASE DETECTION AND RESPONSE

DIVISION 2. CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE - COMPREHENSIVE RULES

31 TAC ?65.95

Snip…

Since mid-July of this year, the department has received confirmation of CWD in deer breeding facilities in Brooks, Frio, Zavala, Kimble, and Cherokee counties. Current rules provide that when CWD is detected in a breeding facility or at a location where breeder deer have been released, the facility and any directly connected facilities are immediately prohibited from receiving or transferring deer and the department and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) staff immediately begin epidemiological investigations to determine the extent and significance of possible disease transmission.

In the case of the Brooks County breeding facility, department records indicate that the facility has within the last five years transferred 1,057 deer to 51 deer breeding facilities, five Deer Management Permit (DMP) sites, and 77 release sites located in a total of 67 counties, as well as to three destinations in Mexico.

In the case of the Frio County breeding facility, department records indicate that the facility has "certified herd" status under the TAHC herd certification program and within the last five years has transferred 627 deer to 46 deer breeding facilities, two nursing facilities, two DMP sites, and 29 release sites located in a total of 41 counties.

In the case of the Zavala County breeding facility, department records indicate that within the last five years the facility has transferred 276 deer to three deer breeding facilities, one DMP facility, and 21 release sites located in a total of 14 counties.

In the case of the Kimble County breeding facility, the facility was the source or destination for 282 deer, including deer sent to seven release sites.

In the case of the Cherokee County breeding facility, the facility received 17 deer from four breeding facilities but did not transfer deer to another breeding facility or release site.

The breeding facilities, nursing facilities, DMP facilities, and release sites that have received deer from the positive facilities are directly connected to those facilities and are of epidemiological concern. These facilities are by current rule also prohibited from receiving or transferring deer unless and until epidemiological investigation determines that Movement Qualified (MQ) status can be restored. Deer breeding facilities that received deer from one or more of the directly connected breeding facilities (referred to as "Tier 1" facilities) are indirectly connected to the positive facilities and are of epidemiological concern because they have received exposed deer that were in a trace-out breeding facility.

The recent detections of CWD in breeding facilities located in Brooks, Frio, Zavala, Kimble, and Cherokee counties are part of an ongoing outbreak of CWD in deer breeding facilities.

Since March 29, 2021, CWD has been detected in 15 counties.

In 2023 alone, CWD has been detected in 12 deer breeding facilities located in nine counties.

Prior to 2021, CWD was detected in six deer breeding facilities located in four counties.

In response to the magnitude and the potential severity of this situation, the emergency rules require the ante-mortem testing of test eligible deer prior to transfer from a breeding facility to another breeding facility.

The emergency action is necessary to protect the state's white-tailed deer populations, as well as associated industries.

https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/December82023/Emergency%20Rules/31.NATURAL%20RESOURCES%20AND%20CONSERVATION.html#9

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Free-Range Coleman County Deer

Dec. 8, 2023 Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030

AUSTIN — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) received confirmation of a case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Coleman County, marking the first detection in the county.

A two-year-old whitetail buck harvested by a hunter on a low-fenced property tested positive through sampling conducted voluntarily to assist with the state’s CWD surveillance.

The sample was collected by a TPWD Wildlife Biologist as part of the statewide surveillance effort. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory initially analyzed the samples, and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa confirmed the CWD detection.

CWD has an incubation period that can span years, so the first indication of the disease in a herd is often found through surveillance testing rather than observed clinical signs. Early detection and proactive monitoring improve the state’s response time to the detection of CWD and can greatly reduce the risk of further disease spread.

TPWD encourages hunters to voluntary test hunter-harvested deer in the area between Coleman and Cross Plains. For more information about voluntary sampling contact your local TPWD biologist (need a link to our webpage). The Department will establish CWD containment and surveillance zones in the area but they may not be implemented until 2024.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease found in certain cervids including deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family. This slow, progressive disease may not produce visible signs in susceptible species for several years after infection. As the disease process continues, animals with CWD may show changes in behavior and appearance. Clinical signs may include progressive weight loss, stumbling or tremors with a lack of coordination, loss of appetite, teeth grinding, abnormal head posture and/or drooping ears, and excessive thirst, salivation or urination.

In Texas, the disease was first discovered in 2012 in free-ranging mule deer along a remote area of the Hueco Mountains near the Texas-New Mexico border. CWD has since been detected in Texas captive and free-ranging cervids, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer and elk.

For more information on previous detections in Texas and CWD best management practices for hunters and landowners, visit TPWD’s CWD page.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20231208a&utm_campaign=govdelivery-email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Texas CWD Surveillance Positives

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

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD Captive Herds updated April 2023

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/cervid/cervids-cwd/cervids-voluntary-hcp

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD Captive Herds updated April 2023

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/cwd/downloads/status-of-captive-herds.pdf

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE PrP in Texas

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b93f528938ac48e9b56dcc79953cbec0

CWD KENTUCKY FALLS!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Cervid Update By State December 2023 (Long Version)

https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2023/12/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse-prion.html

(Short Version)

https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2023/12/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse-prion_7.html

terry