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From: TSS ()
CWD AN EVALUATION WISCONSIN NOVEMBER 2006 November 16, 2006 Senator Carol A. Roessler and Representative Suzanne Jeskewitz, Co-chairpersons Joint Legislative Audit Committee State Capitol Madison, Wisconsin 53702 Dear Senator Roessler and Representative Jeskewitz: As requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, we have completed an evaluation of state efforts to manage chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease of deer. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for coordinating CWD management in the wild deer population. Farm-raised deer are the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory provides CWD testing and carcass disposal services, while the Department of Health and Family Services investigates possible effects on human health. Through fiscal year (FY) 2005-06, these agencies spent $32.3 million managing the disease. DNR has developed several strategies to manage CWD, within the geographic areas in which infected deer are known to live, which are known as CWD zones. They include altering the length and rules of hunting seasons, establishing a ban on baiting and feeding deer, using sharpshooters, and creating monetary incentives for hunters to shoot more deer. To date, DNR’s efforts to eradicate CWD in the free-ranging deer population have not been effective. Neither the estimated number of deer in CWD zones nor the percentage infected with CWD has decreased. In addition, fewer deer have been killed in the CWD zones: the number declined from 23.1 deer per square mile in the 2003 hunting season to 17.4 deer per square mile in the 2005 hunting season. In an October 2006 report to the Natural Resources Board, DNR conceded the need to modify its management efforts to more effectively address CWD. We include options for DNR and the Legislature to more effectively address the disease and control costs in the future. We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by staff of DNR, other state agencies, and interest groups. DNR’s response follows the report. Respectfully submitted, Janice Mueller State Auditor JM/PS/ss snip... Monitoring Related Human Diseases The primary CWD-related activity undertaken by DHFS has been to monitor cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, although to date there is no evidence to suggest that eating CWD-infected venison can cause it or any other disease in humans. However, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, which is better known as “mad cow disease” and is caused by prions, has been linked to a new variant form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease that was transmitted to humans in Great Britain and other European countries. In 2002, as a precautionary measure, DHFS convened a workgroup of 13 experts, primarily neurologists and neuropathologists, to determine how to monitor any possible connection between CWD and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Like CWD in deer, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans is confirmed through post-mortem testing. However, in July 2004 the workgroup informed all Wisconsin neurologists that it had developed clinical criteria for identifying suspected cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease for reporting to DHFS. To investigate reported cases, DHFS collects information from medical records, autopsy results, and details from family members about the person’s background, including hunting history and whether the person ate venison. DHFS has also reviewed Wisconsin death certificates going back to 1997. By identifying cases that differ from expected frequencies or demographic characteristics, DHFS staff hope to determine whether occurrences of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were likely to have been caused by exposure to CWD. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate the normal incidence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the United States is There is no evidence, to date, that CWD causes human illness. ASSESSING POTENTIAL HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS 79 within the range of one to two cases per million per year, and the disease typically occurs sporadically. As shown in Table 40, cases in Wisconsin have not exceeded the normal incidence during the period reviewed by DHFS. Table 40 Annual Incidence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in Wisconsin Calendar Year Incidence per Million People 1997 1.2 1998 1.3 1999 0.8 2000 0.4 2001 0.9 2002 1.5 2003 1.1 2004 1.1 2005 2.0 It was widely reported in 2002 that three hunters who participated in wild game feasts that included venison had contracted fatal illnesses in the 1990s that were possibly linked to CWD-positive deer. A joint investigation by DHFS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that only one of these individuals died of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and its onset was not linked to consumption of venison but was the typical sporadic form. The other two individuals died of unrelated causes. The joint investigation also inquired into the sources of venison served at the wild game feasts, as well as the health of the other feast participants. The investigators determined that the venison was primarily from Wisconsin. Although the three deceased hunters had also brought game from the western United States back to Wisconsin, CWD was not known to be endemic where or when their hunting activities took place. Investigators also determined that 4 of 31 other individuals who reported attending the wild game feasts were deceased, but none had a cause of death associated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and none of the living participants had any signs or symptoms consistent with the disease. snip...famous last words...tss http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lab/reports/06-13Full.pdf From: TSS (216-119-163-189.ipset45.wt.net) From: "Belay, Ermias" Dear Sir/Madam, That assumption would be wrong. I encourage you to read the whole Ermias Belay, M.D. > > -----Original Message----- SEE STEADY INCREASE IN SPORADIC CJD IN THE USA FROM He estimates that it may be up to 14 or 15 persons which display selectively SPRPSC and practically no detected RPRPSC proteins. AS implied in the Inset 25 we must not _ASSUME_ that snip... http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1991/01/04004001.pdf 76 pages on hound study; http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/sc/seac16/tab04.pdf 38.I reviewed the literature on hound neuropathology, and 39.Hound ataxia had reportedly been occurring since the 1930's, 40.The inconclusive results in hounds were never confirmed, 41.The hound work could have provided valuable evidence Histopathological support to various other published 42.These included neuropathological examination of material http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/witness/htm/stat067.htm It was thought likely that at least some, and probably all, of the cases snip... http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/ws/s324.pdf 2005 Area 307, London, SW1P 4PQ GTN: Mr T S Singeltary 21 November 2001 Dear Mr Singeltary TSE IN HOUNDS Thank you for e-mail regarding the hounds survey. I am sorry for the long delay in responding. As you note, the hound survey remains unpublished. However the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC), the UK Government's independent Advisory Committee on all aspects related to BSE-like disease, gave the hound study detailed consideration at their meeting in January 1994. As a summary of this meeting published in the BSE inquiry noted, the Committee were clearly concerned about the work that had been carried out, concluding that there had clearly been problems with it, particularly the control on the histology, and that it was more or less inconclusive. However was agreed that there should be a re-evaluation of the pathological material in the study. Later, at their meeting in June 95, The Committee re-evaluated the hound study to see if any useful results could be gained from it. The Chairman concluded that there were varying opinions within the Committee on further work. It did not suggest any further transmission studies and thought that the lack of clinical data was a major weakness. Overall, it is clear that SEAC had major concerns about the survey as conducted. As a result it is likely that the authors felt that it would not stand up to peer review and hence it was never published. As noted above, and in the detailed minutes of the SEAC meeting in June 95, SEAC considered whether additional work should be performed to examine dogs for evidence of TSE infection. Although the Committee had mixed views about the merits of conducting further work, the Chairman noted that when the Southwood Committee made their recommendation to complete an assessment of possible spongiform disease in dogs, no TSEs had been identified in other species and hence dogs were perceived as a high risk population and worthy of study. However subsequent to the original recommendation, made in 1990, a number of other species had been identified with TSE ( e.g. cats) so a study in hounds was less critical. For more details see- http://www.bseinquiry.gov.uk/files/yb/1995/06/21005001.pdf As this study remains unpublished, my understanding is that the ownership of the data essentially remains with the original researchers. Thus unfortunately, I am unable to help with your request to supply information on the hound survey directly. My only suggestion is that you contact one of the researchers originally involved in the project, such as Gerald Wells. He can be contacted at the following address. Dr Gerald Wells, Veterinary Laboratories Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT 15 3NB, UK You may also wish to be aware that since November 1994 all suspected cases of spongiform encephalopathy in animals and poultry were made notifiable. Hence since that date there has been a requirement for vets to report any suspect SE in dogs for further investigation. To date there has never been positive identification of a TSE in a dog. I hope this is helpful Yours sincerely 4 HUGH MCDONAGH ++++++++++++++++++++===========+++++++++++++ 3:30 Transmission of the Italian Atypical BSE (BASE) in Humanized Mouse Models Research Project: Study of Atypical Bse Location: Virus and Prion Diseases of Livestock Project Number: 3625-32000-073-07 Project Type: Specific C/A Start Date: Sep 15, 2004 End Date: Sep 14, 2007 Objective: The objective of this cooperative research project with Dr. Maria Caramelli from the Italian BSE Reference Laboratory in Turin, Italy, is to conduct comparative studies with the U.S. bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) isolate and the atypical BSE isolates identified in Italy. The studies will cover the following areas: 1. Evaluation of present diagnostics tools used in the U.S. for the detection of atypical BSE cases. 2. Molecular comparison of the U.S. BSE isolate and other typical BSE isolates with atypical BSE cases. 3. Studies on transmissibility and tissue distribution of atypical BSE isolates in cattle and other species. Approach: This project will be done as a Specific Cooperative Agreement with the Italian BSE Reference Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, in Turin, Italy. It is essential for the U.S. BSE surveillance program to analyze the effectiveness of the U.S diagnostic tools for detection of atypical cases of BSE. Molecular comparisons of the U.S. BSE isolate with atypical BSE isolates will provide further characterization of the U.S. BSE isolate. Transmission studies are already underway using brain homogenates from atypical BSE cases into mice, cattle and sheep. It will be critical to see whether the atypical BSE isolates behave similarly to typical BSE isolates in terms of transmissibility and disease pathogenesis. If transmission occurs, tissue distribution comparisons will be made between cattle infected with the atypical BSE isolate and the U.S. BSE isolate. Differences in tissue distribution could require new regulations regarding specific risk material (SRM) removal. http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=408490 Page 5 of 98 8/3/2006 snip... http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/Comments/2006-0011/2006-0011-1.pdf [Docket No. 03-025IFA] FSIS Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk 03-025IFA THE SEVEN SCIENTIST REPORT *** Full Text Diagnosis and Reporting of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Singeltary, Sr et al. JAMA.2001; 285: 733-734. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/285/6/733?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=dignosing+and+reporting+creutzfeldt+jakob+disease&searchid=1048865596978_1528&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&journalcode=jama BMJ Terry S. Singeltary Sr. P.O. Box 42 Bacliff, Texas USA 77518
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