This video provides an illustration of introduction of CWD to a cervid farm through direct contact with an infected farmed cervid using a scenario involving movement of farmed cervids.
Video transcript
Katie (Voiceover):
Hi! My name is Katie. My family ran a small deer breeding operation, surrounded by farmland. We rarely saw wild deer or other animals on our land. To protect our herd, we double-fenced the pen perimeter and made sure there were few trees near the fence line.
After eight years we decided to diversify our genetics, and we purchased two does from another herd.
Soon after, the farm we purchased the does from was placed under quarantine due to a positive CWD result. Our herd was identified as ‘at risk of CWD exposure.’
Narrator (Voiceover):
Katie’s farm was placed under quarantine while the state conducted a trace-back investigation.
Cervids infected with CWD initially appear healthy.
To help minimize the risk of CWD transmission from farmed cervids, consider purchasing from a herd that is part of a state herd certification program. Herds that test negative for CWD but are located in endemic areas may be at higher risk than those in non-endemic areas, unless their farm biosecurity program minimizes these risks.
Ask to verify test results and farm biosecurity programs when purchasing cervids from other herds.
Regulations on cervid movement and quarantine for exposed herds vary between states; check with your state agency for more information.
CWD is a complex disease that we are still learning about. Practicing good biosecurity will help reduce the risk of your herd becoming infected.
See video 8 in this series to identify areas of potential exposure on your farm!
Credits
This video was developed through collaboration between the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, and produced for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture under USDA APHIS Cooperative Agreement AP22VSSPRS00C157 “CWD Training, Outreach, and Producer Education Program.”