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United States Animal Health Association
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For immediate release:

BRUCELLOSIS IN BISON IS FOCUS OF USAHA COMMITTEE ON WILDLIFE DISEASES

        GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 27, 2004   The Interagency Bison Management Plan for
Yellowstone National Park highlighted discussions at this year's meeting of the USAHA
Committee on Wildlife Diseases here.

     Much of the controversy surrounding bison management in Yellowstone revolves around
the fact that about 50 percent of the bison there are known to have been exposed to brucellosis, a
serious disease of cattle and other animals that causes abortions and reduced mild production. 
With the exception of Wyoming, all states are free of this disease in domestic cattle and bison.

     The use of spatial and temporal separation of bison from cattle on private and public
lands surrounding the park help prevent the spread of the disease from wild bison to domestic
livestock.  To further minimize the risk of transmission, cattle on "Special Management Areas"
(SMA) are being vaccinated for brucellosis.  

     Dr. Glen Plumb of the National Park Service reported that implementation of the
Interagency Bison Management Plan demonstrates a commitment to eventual eradication of
brucellosis from the Yellowstone bison population.  "The interagency partners have agreed to
work within their respective authorities and areas of jurisdiction to implement deliberate,
stepwise measures that manage the risk of transmission while building a foundation of the
eventual elimination of brucellosis in the bison population," he said.  

     Three separate zones are defined within each SMA.  Zone 1 is an area within the park
where bison are managed more intensively so they don't commingle with cattle on lands just
outside the park.  Zone 2 is an area immediately outside Yellowstone National Park where bison
will eventually be provided with winter habitat from the first of November through early or mid-
May.  Zone 3 is an area immediately outside Zone 2 where bison will be hazed back to
acceptable tolerance areas, or removed if necessary.

      The Interagency Bison Management Plan also directs the National Park Service to
initiate a program to vaccinate bison, once a safe vaccine is identified.  A review of the literature
descibing the bio-safety parameters of RB51 vaccine has been completed and signed into the
administrative record by the Yellowstone National Park superintendent.  In the spring of 2004,
113 calf and yearling bison were vaccinated in the north SMA.  However, remote delivery of a
brucellosis vaccine still presents many challenges.

     Members of the wildlife diseases committee also were updated on activities relating to
chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and elk.  Some member of Congress have called for
additional funding for CWD management in free-ranging cervids and for finalizing the National
CWD Management Plan.  In FY 2004, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
received $18.5 million for CWD activities.  Last year, 15,172 farmed cervids were tested for
CWD compared with more than 12,000 the previous year.  

     Since surveillance began in 1997, 29 farmed elk herds and five farmed white-tailed deer
herds have tested positive for CWD.  Currently, three positive elk herds remain in Colorado and
two positive deer herds remain in Wisconsin.  All are under state quarantine.  APHIS continues
to offer indemnity and cover depopulation, disposal and testing costsf for CWD-positive and
exposed herd and trace animals.  

     The committee also received an update on West Nile virus.  During 2004, the virus has
been detected in 6,014 wild birds.  During 2003, 9,389 human cases were reported from 41 sates. 
So far this year, 1,951 human cases have been reported from 40 states.  There have been only 951
equine cases this year, compared with 4,494 cases in equines during 2003. 

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