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From: TSS ()
DEC implemented intensive monitoring efforts in wild herds after CWD was found in two captive white-tailed deer herds in Oneida County — the first incidents of CWD in New York State. On April 8, 2005, the State Department of Agriculture and Markets (DAM) completed testing of the captive deer and found a total of five positive results for CWD in the two captive herds. The first positive result for CWD in a wild deer was announced on April 27, 2005 and came from a yearling white-tailed deer sampled from the Town of Verona, Oneida County. The second positive result came from a 3-year-old doe, located within a mile of the location where the initial positive result was detected. The sample tissues were tested at the State's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University. These are the first known occurrences of CWD in wild deer in New York State. CWD is a transmissible disease that affects the brain and central nervous system of certain deer and elk. There is no evidence that CWD is linked to disease in humans or domestic livestock other than deer and elk. More information on CWD can be found at DEC's website at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/deer/currentcwd.html Commissioner Sheehan also announced that significant progress has been made ensuring all captive deer herds and wildlife rehabilitators are in compliance with all animal health inspection and CWD prevention regulations. Joint DEC and Department of Agriculture and Markets teams have inspected more than 95 percent of deer farms possessing white-tailed deer and more than two-thirds of all wildlife rehabilitators who are licensed to rehabilitate white-tailed deer. The remaining facilities are expected to be inspected before the end of August. Each inspection team included DAM veterinarians or veterinary technicians, DEC wildlife biologists and DEC Environmental Conservation Officers. "Our interagency teams have focused on bringing all captive domestic whitetail deer farms, and wildlife rehabilitators known to handle distressed wild whitetail deer, into full compliance with CWD prevention regulations," Commissioner Sheehan said "We have inspected more than 250 facilities in recent months. While many deer farmers and rehabilitators are in compliance or were found to have minor record keeping or reporting violations presenting little threat to the wild whitetail deer herd, we have zero tolerance for violation of our CWD prevention regulations." At the statewide informational meetings in September, representatives from DEC will present information on the discovery of CWD and provide details on the State's response with up-to-date information on the State's regulations aimed at ensuring the proper handling of deer and prevention of further spread of the disease. The regulations established a containment area in Oneida County, where CWD has been identified. The containment area is comprised of Oneida County municipalities, including the cities of Rome, Sherrill, and Utica, as well as the towns of Augusta, Floyd, Marcy, Trenton, Whitestown, Verona, Westmoreland, Vernon, Kirkland, New Hartford, Vienna, Annsville, Lee, and Western. In addition, the Madison County towns of Stockbridge and Lenox and City of Oneida are also included. Within the containment area, DEC's regulations: prohibit the movement of certain animal parts out of the containment area; establish mandatory DEC check stations for any deer taken by hunters in the containment area; establish specific record keeping and reporting requirements for taxidermists and require measures to prevent live cervids from coming in contact with any materials, including taxidermy materials, that may contain the infectious agent that causes CWD; Ballston Spa; September 6 (Tuesday) 7-9 p.m. - Cornell Cooperative Ext., 50 West High St. (State Rt. 67), Ballston Spa. Directions: From Exit 12 of I-87 (Northway), follow Rt. 67 West into the Village of Ballston Spa. Rt. 67 turns left onto High St. at a traffic light. The Cornell Cooperative Extension Building is one block on the right side. Additional parking is across the street. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/press/pressrel/2005/2005100.html For Release: Wednesday, May 4, 2005 The first positive result in a wild deer was announced on April 27, 2005 and came from a yearling white-tailed deer sampled from the Town of Verona, Oneida County. The second positive result is from a 3-year-old doe, located within a mile of the location where the initial positive result was detected. The sample tissues were tested at the State's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University. These are the first known occurrences of CWD in wild deer in New York State. DEC implemented intensive monitoring efforts after CWD was found in two captive white-tailed deer herds in Oneida County – the first incidents of CWD in New York State. On April 8, 2005, the State Department of Agriculture and Markets (DAM) completed testing of the captive deer and found a total of five positive results for CWD in the two captive herds. DEC, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services program, completed intensive monitoring on April 30, 2005. The effort resulted in 290 samples of wild deer from Oneida County, two from neighboring Madison County, and 25 wild deer from the Town of Arietta, Hamilton County. Since 2002, DEC has conducted statewide sampling of wild deer for CWD. When combined with sampling efforts in Oneida and Hamilton Counties, DEC has collected more than 3,700 samples from wild white-tailed deer. DEC and DAM will continue public outreach to interested parties in central New York to help educate citizens on CWD and to discuss next steps to be taken. The agencies will hold a public meeting on Thursday, May 12, 2005, at 7 p.m. in the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School Auditorium, located on State Highway 31 in the Town of Verona. In addition, DEC and DAM will conduct additional outreach and continue to aggressively pursue inspection and enforcement across the State. DAM continues to investigate, sample and test white-tailed deer from two captive herds directly associated with the two herds that were confirmed positive for CWD in Oneida County. Results for these sampling efforts will be announced when available. Statewide sampling for CWD - which has resulted in more than 1,000 tests each year - will be increased to closely monitor the distribution and prevalence of CWD in wild deer. In addition, DEC has implemented emergency regulations regarding the handling, transport and management of deer in the State. The emergency regulations are currently in effect and represent an aggressive response to the recent discovery of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Oneida County. DEC's emergency regulations are designed to ensure the proper handling of deer and prevent further spread of CWD in the wild herd. The emergency regulations are effective for 90 days. In addition, DEC will begin the process of developing permanent regulations, which will appear in the State Register and include a 45-day public comment period. CWD is a transmissible disease that affects the brain and central nervous system of certain deer and elk. There is no evidence that CWD is linked to disease in humans or domestic livestock other than deer and elk. More information on CWD can be found at DEC's website at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/deer/currentcwd.html 05-48 http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/press/pressrel/2005/200548.html TSS
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