| The following
are desirable and required for effective management of CWD on a national
basis:
In farmed cervids:
- Adequate surveillance of susceptible species;
- Accepted requirements (individual animal identification,
surveillance level, time for which surveillance has been carried out)
for a herd to be considered CWD-free;
- Accepted protocols for eliminating CWD in herds detected as
infected.
- Restrictions on movement of live animals from herds which have not
been certified as CWD-free.
- The APHIS
Proposed Rule "Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program and Interstate Movement of Captive Deer and Elk"
sets out in detail the intended herd certification program and
interstate movement requirements for captive deer and elk. This aims
"to eliminate CWD from the captive deer and elk herds in the
United States." (W30.12Jan04.CWD1)
- "Captive deer and elk herds" are defined: "Captive herds are those animals that are privately or publicly owned and held for economic or other purposes within a perimeter fence or confined area. This includes cervids that are ‘‘farmed,’’ ‘‘ranched,’’ ‘‘game farmed,’’ or owned by zoos and other public or private entities. The proposed CWD Herd Certification Program would not apply to animals being held for CWD research purposes by State or Federal agencies or
universities."
- The cervids covered by the Proposed Rule include: "captive black-tailed and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), and captive elk (Cervus elaphus) or elk-red deer
hybrids." [i.e. individuals of the species
Odocoileus hemionus - Mule deer, Odocoileus
virginianus - White-tailed deer and Cervus
elaphus - Red deer] (W30.12Jan04.CWD1)
See:
In free-living cervids:
"Detailed population or herd plans appear critical to successful
long-term management of CWD." (D126)
- Adequate surveillance of cervids of susceptible species;
- Accepted requirements (surveillance level and time for which
surveillance has been carried out) for an area to be considered
CWD-free;
- Accepted criteria to consider an area as endemic or
recently-infected
- Accepted strategies for management of an area to contain the
disease, or for elimination of the disease from that area, as
appropriate.
- Restrictions on movement of live animals (translocation) from areas
where CWD occurs.
- Recommendations/regulations for carcass transportation: adoption of
recommendations/regulations for carcass transportation that are as
uniform and consistent as possible between states would avoid
confusion and minimise conflict of regulations between states. (D126)
See:
Education and Communication:
- If management strategies, including surveillance, are to be carried
out effectively it is important to ensure:
- Effective and continuing communication between the various
Federal and State agencies responsible for disease management in
captive and free-ranging cervids;
- Education of personnel working in Federal and State agencies
responsible for disease management in captive and free-ranging
cervids, people involved in the consumptive and non-consumptive
utilization of wildlife, decision makers at all levels, and the
general public regarding CWD and the measures required to manage
the disease.
(D126)
See:
Research:
- At this time there is still much that it not known or understood
about CWD.
- Further research is required to provide a greater understanding
of the disease, its natural host range and ecology, how it is transmitted and how it is likely to
affect infected populations.
- Contingency plans need to be sufficiently flexible to allow for
alteration as scientific knowledge progresses.(D114.IV.w4)
(D110.w3,
D114.IV.w4,
D118,
D124,
D126,
J40.66.w1)
The following suggestions for areas of research which need to be
addressed is taken directly from
D110
- Plan for Assisting States, Federal Agencies, and Tribes in Managing Chronic Wasting Disease in Wild and Captive Cervids:
-
Action Item 1: Evaluate existing diagnostic tests for accuracy and utility; improve accuracy,
speed, and capacity of diagnostic tests, and establish a standardized yet flexible national
sampling protocol for testing; develop tests that provide early detection of disease; develop a
live animal test that is cost effective and can be applied in the field; and assess the feasibility of
tests for environmental contamination.
-
Action Item 2: Conduct research into the biology and pathology of CWD. Prioritized needs
include: 1) describing the pathogenesis of CWD; 2) determining if different strains of CWD
infect different cervids; 3) determining which species are susceptible to CWD, including cattle;
4) determining the routes of exposure, the rate of transmission, and the amount of agent needed
to cause infection; 5) investigating the contribution of genetics to CWD susceptibility among
cervid populations; and 6) developing prophylactic or treatment measures for both captive and
free-ranging susceptible cervids.
-
Action item 3: Conduct research into disease management and host ecology. Prioritized needs
include: 1) developing and enhancing models of CWD dynamics; 2) evaluating host population
dynamics and dispersal and social behavior in relation to transmission; 3) developing a GIS
that can elucidate patterns of disease–host population characteristics; 4) evaluating the
effectiveness of CWD control or eradication strategies; 5) studying the ecological effects of
reducing deer and elk populations in CWD affected areas; 6) determining persistence of the
CWD agent in the environment; 7) developing methods to inactivate the CWD-agent in the
laboratory and in the field; 8) correlating disease prevalence to cervid density; and 9)
conducting research on methods of carcass disposal.
-
Action Item 4: Conduct research into the human dimensions of CWD. Prioritized research
needs include: 1) determining the attitudes, perceptions of risk, and information needs of
affected human communities; 2) determining landowner and hunter willingness to participate
in disease management programs; 3) determining the impact of CWD and CWD management
on the economy and the social fabric of human communities; and 4) assessing communication
and education strategies.
(D110
- Plan for Assisting States, Federal Agencies, and Tribes in Managing Chronic Wasting Disease in Wild and Captive Cervids
- Text copied Directly)
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