USAHA News
United States Animal Health Association
Contact - Larry Mark - (703) 451-3954 - ldmark@erols.com


For immediate release:

REPORTS GIVEN ON CWD AND AI

	MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Oct. 18, 2006 -- Reports on chronic wasting disease (CWD) and 
avian influenza were high points at the meeting of the U.S. Animal Health Association (USAHA) 
Committee on Captive Wildlife and Alternative Livestock here this week.

	CWD has been discovered in free-ranging cervids in 11 states and in 41 captive cervid 
herds in 9 states.  Currently, there are four infected elk herds and one infected white-tailed deer 
herd that have chosen to remain under quarantine rather than depopulate.

	In 2006, the CWD program depopulated one elk herd in the endemic area as well as a 
chronically infected white-tailed deer herd and a mixed elk and white-tailed deer herd.  A total of 
110 animals were in these herds.

	For the last three years, the CWD program has paid for testing about 15,000 captive 
cervids per year.  Demand for testing is expected to increase with the implementation of the 
program.

	The first infected free-ranging white-tailed deer was found in northwest Kansas in 2006 
and West Virginia found four additional infected animals.  On the positive side, no additional 
positive free-ranging cervids were found in New York in 2006.  

	The Committee also heard a report from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) on AI preparedness and response.  APHIS is prepared for an AI outbreak and 
systems are in place to use the National Incident Management System and Incident Command 
Structure to respond in partnership with local, state and federal organizations.  

        If the highly pathogenic strain of AI was detected in commercial or backyard flocks, affected 
flocks would be quickly quarantined to prevent spread.  Sick and exposed birds would be euthanized 
and the premises cleaned and disinfected to stamp out the disease.  APHIS would conduct 
epidemiology investigations to determine the source of the virus, and to track the movement of birds 
to contain disease spread.
        
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