CWD Live Test Research Project

From the American Cervid Alliance News Room

December 18, 2013

18pxACA CWD Live Test Research Project



With the recent CWD positive animal found in a Wisconsin hunting ranch, we all are realizing the importance of a live CWD test.  With a live CWD test, CWD will no longer be a disease that threatens our industry like it currently does.


During the last American Cervid Alliance council meeting, leaders discussed the possibility of a live test and the benefits it could bring to the industry.  We have found a research facility that is developing a blood test to detect CWD in an infected animal and they are also conducting research to determine how soon after infection can they detect the disease with a blood test.

 

This research is well underway and is looking very promising, but more funds are needed to validate a blood test as a live test for CWD.  The ACA is proposing that each cervid farmer in North America donate at least $5.00 per animal to further the live CWD research.  In order for this fundraiser to be successful, we need everyone who raises cervids to donate to the cause whatever they can afford to donate.


The following platinum, gold, silver, bronze and Patron sponsorships are available.


Platinum: $25 per animal

Gold: $20 per animal

Silver: $15 per animal

Bronze: $10 per animal

Patron: $5 per animal


All funds generated for this project will be earmarked and will be used only for CWD research.  An accounting of all the donations will be posted in publications and the ACA Website on a regular basis.  Everyone who donates to this research will be recognized and be furnished with a financial statement.


Donations for this project can be made in two different ways.  Donations can be made directly to the American Cervid Alliance (ACA) or The Wisconsin Cervid Farmers Foundation (WCFF). The Wisconsin Cervid Farmers Foundation a 501c3 foundation of the Whitetails of Wisconsin association.   For the folks who are fortunate enough to need a tax deduction for 2013, there is still time to write a check to qualify for this year's taxes!


Please mail contributions to: payable to either designation


American Cervid Alliance

4985 West Blue Hill Rd

Ayr, Nebraska, 68925


Thank you in advance for your support


 


http://www.americancervidalliance.org/news.cfm?id=83

24pxUPDATE!


 




From the American Cervid Alliance News Room

December 20, 2013

18pxCWD Live Test Research Update!



In response to the recent Wisconsin CWD finding, during the December ACA Council meeting, leaders discussed long term goals of coping with CWD that included working toward a live CWD test and CWD vaccine.  Barry Chernuka, councilman for the Alberta Elk Commission, and Ian Thorleifson, councilman for the Canadian Cervid Alliance, updated the ACA council regarding the CWD vaccine stating the project was well underway with sufficient funding.  In discussing possibilities of a live CWD test, Barry Chernuka mentioned that a CWD infected elk herd in Canada will be depopulated shortly after the first of the year.


The ACA council members realized the need to act as soon as possible in order to retrieve samples from this infected herd that could be instrumental in this necessary research.  The council directed Laurie Seale and Barry Chernuka to coordinate in order to retrieve the samples prior to the herd's depopulation.

 

In order to raise the necessary revenue to assist in the cost of securing the much needed samples, a news release outlining the ACA's suggestion for raising this money was sent to the industry.  There is a herd in the United States in which we would also like to retrieve blood, tonsil and rectal tissues. If the industry is serious about finding a live test for CWD, this fundraising project will be the first phase in securing naturally infected CWD tissues for future research.

 

The second phase of this project is selecting a research facility that has proven experience working on a live test.  Colorado State University (CSU) recently released a research paper that shows promise for a possible live CWD screening test.  The sensitivity and specificity of this particular blood test appears to be very high when compared to the rectal biopsy CWD test.  CSU is currently conducting research to determine at what stage the blood test is able to detect the CWD infection in experimentally infected animals.

 

The ACA is interested in hearing from anyone that may have more information on other CWD blood test research being conducted that would benefit the industry.  The industry needs to be sure to utilize the industry's money as wisely as possible.  There has been research conducted over the past 10 years using tonsil and rectal biopsy tissues, but those live tests are very invasive and not as humane as a simple blood test. It only makes sense to financially support blood test research at this time.  The CWD vaccine research being conducted in Canada has secured the additional funding to finish their current study, but could be years from having a vaccine approved for CWD prevention.


There are those who have reservations about the blood test research, but one thing is certain; if research doesn't go forward deer and elk farmers will continue to destroy valuable, healthy animals to prove they do not have the disease.  The cervid industry has been forced to kill far more animals in the name of regulatory oversight than this dreaded disease will ever kill on its own.


Research takes money and the cervid industry has to take the lead and secure that funding in order to facilitate the process.  More details will be forthcoming as soon as we know more.


 


http://www.americancervidalliance.org/news.cfm?id=84

Jerillee,


I think some may have reservations about the blood test in general, perhaps in regard to its accuracy or getting it approved.  Same could be said for the CWD vaccine. 


 


One thing I’d say is, we, as an industry, need to be working on all these things because the status quo is unacceptable.  We have to help ourselves.  And we are grateful to all the folks that sent emails the last couple of days pledging their support.  

Dakota893011387676582



Is ACA looking at all to form their own Health Foundation 501c(3) to be able to collect tax deductible contributions?  




 


'times new roman', serif  Jim,


'times new roman', serif Several member associations have requested this be discussed during our next ACA meeting in January so it is very possible but depends of the will of our majority. 501c3’s are relatively easy to set up so this could be beneficial for our united industry.  A few of our member associations do have 501c3 foundations of their own at this time.  For example, for anyone wishing to donate for this project and send donations to the Wisconsin Cervid Farmers Foundation, which is Whitetails of Wisconsin's 501c3.  Full accounting will be given to donors and the ACA member associations at our monthly meetings.  Also, The ACA has a new page on our website where we can list names of donors.


 


 


'times new roman', serif Thanks!


 


'times new roman', serif Travis