Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) disease of certain members of the cervidae family. Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), also known as prion diseases, are a group of progressive, invariably fatal, conditions that affect the brain (encephalopathies) and nervous system of certain animals. CWD, discovered in 1967, has been found in 24 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces, and it has been spread in part by shipments of infected animals. Many species of cervids are susceptible, including elk, moose, and several kinds of deer. Infected animals typically begin showing signs such as weight loss, lethargy, and drooling 2 to 3 years after infection and then die within months.

The state Chronic Wasting Disease rule (345 IAC 2-7) requires the enrollment of captive cervids in the CWD program that are designated by the board to be susceptible to CWD. These are animals of the following genera and their hybrids and related species:

1. Odocoileus (mule deer and whitetail deer).

2. Cervus (elk, wapiti, red deer, and Sika deer).

3. Alces (moose).

4. Any other species of the family cervidae that:

A. is found to be susceptible to CWD; and

B. the state veterinarian designates in writing as being governed by the movement requirements in this rule.

All captive cervids that are of a species susceptible to CWD must participate in the CWD Registered Herd program. In addition, the state administers a CWD Certified Herd program that aligns with requirements for the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP). Indiana participates in this cooperative program with APHIS in order for Indiana cervid owners who wish to move animals interstate to be able to obtain a status authorizing such movement. The CWD programs include standards such as official identification, record keeping, fencing, and sampling requirements for captive cervids. The designation as CWD susceptible is also important because it impacts from which states and herds reindeer may be imported into Indiana.

The purpose of this document is to record the Indiana state veterinarian's determination that reindeer are CWD susceptible for the purposes of Indiana state board of animal health (BOAH) rules.

USDA-APHIS identifies CWD-susceptible species based on scientific evidence of natural infection or experimental infections through intranasal and/or oral routes. Reindeer have historically been classified as nonsusceptible to CWD for import and program enrollment purposes by both USDA-APHIS and Indiana. However, recent studies and events have provided a credible body of evidence that reindeer should be recognized as CWD susceptible. It is important to further emphasize that, if a cervid species tests positive for CWD in a natural setting in contrast to an experimental situation, this is highly compelling evidence that the species is susceptible to CWD. This has recently occurred in reindeer in Norway in March of 2016 and Illinois in May of 2018, which have both experienced cases where reindeer have been found to be positive for CWD by natural infection.

Bret D. Marsh, D.V.M., Indiana State Veterinarian, is hereby designating the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) as a CWD susceptible species of deer. The result of this determination is that reindeer are now governed by the movement and other requirements set forth at 345 IAC 1-3 and 345 IAC 2-7. This designation is effective immediately.

Direct all question and inquiries regarding this Policy to:

Indiana State Board of Animal Health

1202 E. 38th Street, Discovery Hall, Suite 100

Indianapolis, IN 46205

(317) 544-2400

animalhealth@boah.in.gov

DIN: 20180725-IR-345180319NRA

Composed: Apr 28,2024 5:02:01PM EDT

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