Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 12, March 20, 2024
(a)
Premises quarantine.
If a CWD positive, exposed or suspect susceptible cervid is
identified in a herd, it shall be subject to immediate quarantine by a
department or USDA/APHIS official. Epidemiologic investigations shall be
initiated to determine possible sources and potential contacts. All contact
premises shall be evaluated for CWD status. All herds epidemiologically linked
to the positive herd shall be subject to quarantine and management as CWD
exposed herds.
(b)
Establishment of a CWD herd plan.
CWD herd plans shall be developed for any CWD positive,
exposed or suspect herd. Such plans shall be developed by department and
USDA/APHIS officials in conjunction with the herd owner and shall be subject to
final approval by the department. Such plans shall contain the following
procedures for positive or trace herds, which shall be implemented within 60
days of diagnosis of CWD.
(1) CWD
positive herds. Captive cervid herds in which one or more of the cervids are
classified as CWD positive shall be subject to:
(i) depopulation of the whole herd;
and
(ii) development of a CWD herd
plan for each CWD positive herd diagnosed. Such plan shall include a CWD
premises plan addressing possible environmental contamination and other
long-term considerations. A CWD premises plan shall include provisions for:
(a) cleaning and disinfection;
(b) future land use restrictions;
(c) restocking constraints and timeframes;
and
(d) fencing requirements to
prevent contact with wildlife.
(2) CWD exposed or suspect herds. A
department or USDA/APHIS epidemiologist shall conduct a risk analysis of all
CWD exposed or suspect herds. High risk herds shall be subject to depopulation.
Lower risk herds shall be subject to quarantine under the following conditions:
(i) Official herd quarantine. CWD exposed or
suspect herds in which the risk is undeveloped or undefined shall remain under
quarantine for 60 months. No off-premises sales or movement shall occur for the
duration of the quarantine period. Discovery of any CWD infected cervid during
the quarantine period shall result in conversion to CWD infected herd
status.
(ii) Elimination of
high-risk cervids within the herd. Herds that have received herd additions from
source herds subsequently found to be CWD infected shall have their CWD herd
certification status suspended. The suspect herd additions shall be euthanized
and appropriate samples shall be submitted for CWD testing. If there is no
evidence of CWD following official testing, the herd status shall be restored.
If the cervid is CWD positive, the herd shall be classified as a CWD positive
herd and managed in accordance with this Part.
(iii) Special fencing requirements. Perimeter
fencing adequate to prevent fence line contact with captive and free-ranging
cervids shall be established for all CWD positive herds and positive premises.
Fencing requirements and biosecurity provisions shall be specified in the herd
and premises plan.
(3)
Disposal. The carcasses of CWD positive cervids that are depopulated shall be
disposed of in accordance with disposal plans approved by the department and
USDA/APHIS. Such plans shall be developed to prevent contamination of the
environment and exposure of live cervids.
