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Texas Suspends Importation of Elk and Several Species of Deer to Protect Against Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
NEWS RELEASE
Texas Animal Health Commission Box l2966 *Austin, Texas 78711
*(800) 550-8242* FAX (512) 719-0719
Linda Logan, DVM, PhD* Executive Director For info, contact Carla Everett,
information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or
For Immediate Release--
Texas Suspends Importation of Elk and Several Species of Deer to Protect Against
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
To prevent the potential introduction of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) have issued separate orders that suspend the importation of live white-tailed and black-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk into Texas from any states until further notice. Recently, CWD, a fatal brain-wasting disease, has been detected in eight states in either captive elk herds and/or free-ranging or farm-raised white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer and mule deer.
"The TAHC has been concerned about CWD for several years and, after working with representatives from the deer and elk industry, we implemented entry requirements and a voluntary herd monitoring program in l999," explained Dr. Linda Logan, Texas' state veterinarian and executive director of the TAHC, the state's livestock health regulatory agency.
"In late 2001, the TAHC quarantined the movement of live white-tailed and black-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk from Colorado, when nearly 1,500 captive elk were depopulated because of infection or exposure to the disease," Dr. Logan said. "By February 2002, the commission followed with an identical movement quarantine on Nebraska, because CWD had been detected on a private hunting preserve and in nearby free-ranging white-tailed deer. By mid-March CWD was detected in free-ranging white-tailed deer in Wisconsin. This was the first time the disease was detected east of the Mississippi River. CWD also has been detected in several mule deer in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
" Dr. Logan explained that the TPWD regulates the importation of white-tailed, black-tailed and mule deer under the provisions of the Scientific Breeder Permit regulations. The TAHC, sets standards for health requirements and also issues entry permits for elk and other deer considered to be exotic to Texas. From September 2001 through February 2002, the TAHC permitted 72 elk permitted to enter the state from Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, and Oklahoma. The TPWD reports that more than 2,100 deer were imported by scientific breeders since l998, most coming from Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Illinois.
"Our concerns about the possible introduction of CWD into Texas by imported elk and deer rose further when Wisconsin animal health officials reported infection in their free-ranging white-tailed deer. At the same time, we also were receiving inquiries from deer and elk producers in states that had no CWD surveillance programs. After consulting with industry, our agencies agreed that we should exercise extreme caution now and stop the importation of these susceptible species of deer and elk from all states, rather than regret it later," said Dr. Logan.
"As of March 20, the TAHC quarantined all states, prohibiting the entry of elk, mule deer, and white-tailed and black-tailed deer to give us adequate time to readdress our entry and surveillance regulations. Before admitting additional animals into the state, we must ensure that our regulations are reasonable, yet effective, to protect our multi-billion dollar domestic wildlife and exotic hoof stock against CWD."
"At this time, there is no evidence that CWD is transmissible to other hoof stock, such as antelope, axis or fallow deer, which will still be allowed to enter Texas, if they meet our requirements for tuberculosis and brucellosis testing and veterinary examination," said Dr. Logan. CWD was first seen in captive mule deer in l967 at the Colorado Division of Wildlife's research facilities in Fort Collins. Since then, it has been detected in free-ranging deer in Colorado, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Wyoming and South Dakota. The disease has also been found in captive elk or deer facilities in Oklahoma, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota. Both free-ranging deer and captive elk herds in Saskatchewan, Canada, also have been affected.
CWD, triggered by abnormal prions in the brain, is confirmed through microscopic examination of brain tissue. Dr. Logan said infected animals may incubate the disease for three years or longer before they exhibit clinical signs that include drooling, excessive thirst, dramatic loss of weight and body condition, poor hair coat, staggering, and finally death.
Dr. Logan said researchers do not completely understand how the disease is spread but suspect that the infectious agent may be shed in urine, saliva or fluids associated with calving. Because there is no live animal test, and because CWD is a chronic disease that develops slowly over months or years, herds must be monitored for at least five years before they are considered "free" for CWD. Herd monitoring involves collecting and examining brain tissue from every deer or elk in the herd that dies, either from slaughter, natural death, or hunter harvest to determine if the animal had the disease.
The TAHC offers a voluntary CWD monitoring program in Texas, encompassing all deer and elk, including fallow and white-tailed deer. However, only about 20 herds in Texas are enrolled, Dr. Logan pointed out. She said TAHC staff would like to see increase surveillance on Texas white-tailed deer raised under permit by scientific breeders.
"Ideally, deer or elk herds in Texas should be a part of a comprehensive monitoring program, so that we can protect our valuable wildlife resource in Texas," she said. "With a multi-billion dollar hunting and ranching industry, I believe that CWD monitoring is extremely important."
A number of states are taking action to protect their elk and domestic and exotic deer herds from CWD. Connecticut prohibits the entry of any elk or deer, while North Carolina animal health officials prohibit the entry of deer or elk from counties (and contiguous counties) where CWD has been diagnosed. Missouri prohibits the entry of deer and elk that have been in any CWD endemic area within the previous five years.
In Colorado, animal health officials require mandatory surveillance of all elk mortalities, whether they are natural deaths, slaughter, or hunt park kills. Likewise, in 2000, Utah initiated mandatory testing for CWD, at the request of the Utah Elk Breeders, prohibits the importation of any elk from herds known to be exposed to or positive for CWD. No cases of CWD have been detected in Utah.
Other states, like Minnesota are testing deer within the state, developing plans for expanded monitoring for the disease and organizing contingency plans for handling CWD. In Nebraska, where infected wild deer were detected, Game and Parks Commission officials are preparing to reduce the wild deer population in the affected area. Last year, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials expanded CWD testing to include locker checks of some meat processors that handled wild game. To date, all samples tested from Washington deer and elk have been negative for CWD.
Indiana officials issue entry permits for deer and elk on a case-by-case basis, after reviewing a full medical history on the herd and evaluating the herd's CWD monitoring program. Indiana animal health officials also have fashioned entry requirements based on each state's level of risk for having CWD in free-ranging or captive herds.
"A variety of approaches are being tried to prevent the introduction of CWD into states, but inevitably, the disease is appearing in elk herds around the country and on several occasions, in the free-ranging deer within close proximity to confined herds. Texas must take a more active role in assuring the health of our deer and elk," said Dr. Logan.
"Without a live animal test, we have no way to screen animals before they come into our state. We need to establish hunter-kill surveillance and step up the participation in herd monitoring programs. This would allow us to detect CWD in Texas early and stop its potential spread," said Dr. Logan. "Implementations for a widespread Texas effort would necessitate the support and participation by the hunting, and deer and elk ranching industries."