Tests Show Utah Elk are CWD-Free

Thirty-four domestic elk from Utah ranches, which were recently destroyed because of fears of possible exposure to chronic wasting disease (CWD), have all tested negative for the disease. The elk, which are referred to as "trace-forward" elk, originated from a ranch in Colorado that had a confirmed case of CWD four years earlier. The elk were euthanized and tested for exposure in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) CWD Eradication and Control Program.

The negative test results from Utah indicate that CWD has not been introduced to Utah by these elk. Negative test results were also reported on trace-forward elk in Idaho, New Mexico, and South Dakota.

"We are very pleased that these test results confirm that Utah's domestic elk population does not have chronic wasting disease," said Dr. Mike Marshall, State Veterinarian. "Utah has in place a very comprehensive set of procedures and regulations designed to prevent the spread of any livestock disease, and I'm happy to see the system worked," Dr. Marshall added

The Utah Elk Breeders Association has worked closely with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and the USDA, as well as the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in the depopulation and testing of these elk. Testing was completed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.

As outlined in the protocols of the USDA CWD Eradication and Control program, affected ranchers will receive indemnity funding of up to $3000 per animal for the depopulation of their elk. While this funding will help defray some of the losses sustained by depopulation, it is often significantly less than the actual value of the animals, which can each be worth $75,000 or more.

"We are all very relieved that the test results came back negative. These results show that elk ranchers are taking the right steps to eliminate the disease from domestic elk," said Ron Greene, Vice-President of the Utah Elk Breeders Association. "While it is painful for one of our ranchers to destroy his elk, it is the only way to be sure that none of them were infected," Greene said.

Although research is ongoing to develop a live animal test for CWD, currently the disease can only be diagnosed through post-mortem testing of the elk's brain stem. Statewide testing of 750 hunter harvested deer and elk in 1998-99 by the three agencies found no evidence of the disease in Utah's wild population.

Elk breeders are confident that by complying with the USDA CWD program, they will be able to eliminate CWD quickly and effectively from domestic elk, in much the same way they eliminated tuberculosis and brucellosis.

The North American Elk Breeders Association took a leading role in formulating and drafting the current CWD program that has been adopted by the USDA and various state agencies.

For more information about CWD, click here or visit www.naelk.org, or call the UDAF at (801) 538-7162 or the NAEBA at (888) 431-3605.

Posted 11 January, 2002