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News Release 1-10-2002

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AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES IMPORT EMBARGO

West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass has issued an import embargo on deer and elk from areas experiencing breakouts of chronic wasting disease (CWD). The order went into effect January 8, 2002.

“Because of the significant threat CWD poses to West Virginia’s domestic Cervidae industry, I deemed it necessary to enact this embargo,” said Commissioner Douglass. “This embargo prohibits the importation of live deer and elk from herds, counties, or adjoining counties where CWD has been diagnosed within the past five years.” Other regulations already in effect are not affected by this new embargo, he added.

According to State Veterinarian Lewis Thomas, West Virginia does not have a large number of these imports, but the embargo serves to stem any spread of the disease. “There’s no record of this disease in West Virginia and it’s not dangerous to humans. This is simply a precautionary measure,” Thomas said.

CWD affects Cervidae, a genus of animals that includes deer and elk. The disease has been identified in domestic and wild herds in western states, including Wyoming and Colorado. The disease is similar to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease. Like BSE, CWD results in progressive deterioration of brain tissue and eventual death.

For more information, contact the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division at 304/558-2214.

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