Page 5 - MDWFP CWD Response Plan

CWD positive elk in Boone, Carroll, Madison, Marion, Newton, Pope and Searcy Counties.
This outbreak represents the closest CWD positive cervids to Mississippi.

There are two primary forms of exposure to CWD for uninfected cervids: 1) CWD infected
cervids, and 2) CWD contaminated environment (Williams et al. 2002, Miller et al. 2004,
Mathiason et al. 2009). The presence of infected cervids increases the number of infectious CWD
prions in the environment over time. It is logical that a shift in the source of infection could occur
over time as contamination of the environment increases due to the presence of infected cervids.
As CWD becomes established in an area, environmental contamination could become the
primary source of infection for uninfected cervids. Conversely, in areas where CWD is not
established and where the environment is relatively uncontaminated, direct animal contact may be
the most likely source of transmission of CWD to uninfected cervids.

Chronological Overview of Mississippi’s Response to CWD

A CWD surveillance program for white-tailed deer was implemented in 2002. As of
February 2018, a total of 13,227 white-tailed deer have been tested for the disease; 12,397
were from the free range and 830 were captive (Appendix A). As of August 2017, CWD
has not been confirmed in Mississippi.

It is well documented that the movement of infected live cervids and carcasses by humans
has resulted in broad geographic leaps in nationwide distribution of CWD. In 2003, the
MDWFP implemented various regulations to address potential CWD threats. These
regulations included banning the importation of live white-tailed deer; a temporary
moratorium on importation of elk, red deer, mule deer, black-tailed deer, and other cervids
designated susceptible to CWD; and regulations pertaining to enclosures containing white-
tailed deer (Appendix B).

The MDWFP has established CWD collection procedures for the 2017-2018 season
(Appendix C). These procedures include sampling goals, risk assessment by county, target
individual identification, property access, tissue collection and labeling, sample submission,
and site contamination.

The MDWFP recognizes that the detection of CWD in Mississippi would have significant
biological, ecological, economical, and sociological implications. If CWD is identified in
Mississippi, it will present a serious long-term threat to the health of cervids and hunting in
the state. The purpose of this response plan is to provide direction, guidelines, and a specific
course of action for monitoring and managing CWD in Mississippi. The major goals of this
plan are:

 Continue surveillance throughout the state to ensure early detection.
 If CWD is detected,
o Determine the prevalence and spatial distribution of CWD.
o Apply management actions to limit the spread of CWD.
o Determine the origin of any CWD positive cervid.
 Provide accurate and relevant information on CWD to the public, agency staff,
affected governmental agencies, and other stakeholders.

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