APHIS Protects U.S. Wildlife by Providing $12 Million in Funding to Fight Chronic Wasting Disease

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Press Release

Contact:
APHISPress@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is providing approximately $12 million to state and Tribal partners to further develop and implement chronic wasting disease (CWD) management and response activities in wild and farmed cervids (e.g., deer, elk).

“Deer, elk, moose, and other cervids are important wildlife resources that continue to be at risk of contracting chronic wasting disease,” said Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “This funding will help APHIS and our state and Tribal partners find and implement new solutions to this challenging disease while protecting the health of animals and the livelihoods of our farmers.”

CWD is an infectious, degenerative disease of cervids that causes brain cells to die, ultimately leading to death. The disease has spread widely and is difficult to control due to the limited number of effective management tools available.

APHIS based its funding allocations on the following priorities, established collaboratively with state agricultural and wildlife representatives, Tribal officials and the cervid industry:

  • Improving CWD management of affected farmed herds and wild cervid populations;
  • Improving CWD management of affected areas or premises;
  • Researching amplification assays and other new test methods;
  • Researching the application of or implementing a whole genome predictive genetics CWD management plan for farmed cervid herds or wild populations; and
  • Developing and/or delivering educational outreach materials or programs.

APHIS gave priority to State and Tribal governments that have already detected CWD or border CWD-endemic areas and have either implemented monitoring and surveillance programs or propose to do so.

For more details on the individual projects, see:

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