CWD: SURVEILLANCE AND RESEARCH
The EU has determined that a pan European EU surveillance system to monitor deer populations to detect any fresh cases is required.
One of the most significant questions is how susceptible are our deer to Chronic Wasting Disease? Will they succumb rapidly, or slowly?
The BDS is engaging in a research project to perform DNA typing of deer found in Britain to establish the extent of their susceptibility to CWD. This will assist with “modelling” how CWD might develop in the UK should it ever arrive.
PREVENTING THE SPREAD
BDS Leaflet: How to preventing the spread of CWD
The British Deer Society has launched a new leaflet aimed at hunters and sporting agents containing important recommendations to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
The updated advice replaces previous guidance and follows an increase in risk level to the UK with the announcement of three cases of the disease in Norway. CWD has previously mainly been found in North America. Sporting agents, hosts and guides are urged to make sure all guests to the UK are aware of the risks and take steps to ensure that their equipment is suitably clean to minimise the risk of spreading the disease. All those visiting areas at risk of infection, especially for hunting purposes, must appreciate that it is almost impossible to thoroughly sterilise potentially contaminated kit and clothing so are strongly encouraged to consider leaving behind or disposing of what cannot be completely sanitised.
BDS Report: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a Transmissible Spongiform Encephalitis (TSE) of deer
DNA samples required
The EU has determined that a pan European EU surveillance system to monitor deer populations to detect any fresh cases is required. One of the most significant questions is how susceptible are our deer to CWD? Will they succumb rapidly, or slowly?
The BDS is engaging in a new research project to perform DNA typing of deer found in Britain to establish the extent of their susceptibility to CWD. This will assist with “modelling” how CWD might develop in the UK should it ever arrive.
The analysis of samples has begun but we need some fresh samples of certain species from certain distinctly differing populations before August 2017.
Can you help?
If you are interested in engaging in the project please register with John Bruce. The sample species, areas and numbers of samples required are listed in the document below.
