Captive Cervids in Missouri
Farmed whitetail deer and elk belong to the taxonomic group of animals called the Cervidae family. These species are native to the U.S. However, other cervid species that are not native to the U.S. are also farmed including sika deer, reindeer, fallow deer, axis, muntjac, pere David and red deer. Farmed cervids can be raised for breeding, meat production, private hunting and animal watching. MDA manages the disease programs for all farmed cervids in Missouri.
Farmed cervid producers often need to move animals into or off the farm for purposes of breeding, hunting, exhibition, etc. In Missouri, farmed cervids must participate in the CWD Voluntary Herd Certification Program directed by USDA and administered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture in order to move animals within the state or into other states. States may have additional entry requirements such as participation in the Certified Brucellosis-Free Herd Program for Cervids and/or the Tuberculosis-Free Accredited Herd Program for cervids, both of which are also administered by MDA.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Voluntary Herd Certification Program
CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of cervids (members of the deer family). First recognized as a clinical wasting syndrome in 1967, the disease is characterized by chronic weight loss, leading to death. There is no known relationship between CWD and any other TSE diseases of animals or people.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s CWD Herd Certification Program is a voluntary program approved by USDA-APHIS and guided by the USDA CWD Herd Certification Program (HCP) Standards. It requires CWD surveillance, reporting and testing of farmed cervids 12 months of age and older that die, are slaughtered, or show signs of CWD.
All CWD-susceptible cervids over one (1) year of age must be enrolled in a CWD program sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture to move animals within the state or into other states. CWD-Susceptible Cervids are those cervid species that have proven to be susceptible to CWD, which includes, but is not limited to, whitetail deer, blacktail deer, mule deer, red deer, elk, moose, sika deer, reindeer, muntjac, axis deer and roe deer.
Fallow deer are not required to be in the CWD Herd Certification Program to move within Missouri but must have documentation of a current annual inspection conducted by an accredited veterinarian and a record of current inventory. However, fallow deer that have contact with susceptible species must be enrolled in a CWD Herd Certification Program to move within the state. Producers should check with other states for their movement requirements regarding fallow deer.
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Certified Brucellosis-Free Herd Program
Brucellosis is a highly contagious disease of many animals and is caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Brucellosis can cause abortion, infertility and sterility, resulting in economic loss to the producer. It has been found in bison, elk, moose, Dall sheep, caribou and several species of deer. The disease is relatively rare in deer in the U.S., but slightly more significant in elk, bison and moose. The major sources of infection are reproductive secretions (mainly fetal and placental) and mammary secretions (milk) from infected animals. Brucellosis can be transmitted through ingestion of or contact with aborted fetuses and contact with infected calves. Brucellosis can also be transmitted from bull to cow through natural mating; however, this is very rare.
Brucellosis most commonly targets the reproductive system. Some animals will show no signs of infection, but abortion late in pregnancy or the birth of weak calves are the most common. Other clinical signs include arthritis, lameness and abscesses.
Through a federal/state/industry cooperative effort, Brucellosis was mostly eradicated from the United States by the early 2000s. Missouri was classified as a Brucellosis-Free state in March 2004.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture administers a Certified Brucellosis-Free Herd Program for cervidae using the Brucellosis in Cervidae: Uniform Methods and Rules established by USDA (APHIS 91-45-16).
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Tuberculosis-Free Accredited Herd Program
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is primarily a disease of cattle that can affect other mammals, including cervids, goats, sheep and humans. Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) is the bacteria that causes the disease. Cervids such as white-tailed, mule, elk, red, fallow and sika deer are susceptible to bTB. The bacteria that cause the disease can survive outside a host species for several months, especially in cold, moist and dark conditions. The risk of bTB infection for humans is generally low. Risk increases when working with infected animals, particularly when you have breaks in the skin, or if you eat raw dairy products.
Tuberculosis can be transmitted by the inhalation of aerosols, by ingestion, or through breaks in the skin. In some deer, severe disease can develop within a few months, while in other deer it may take years to become symptomatic. Common symptoms may include progressive wasting, a low-grade fluctuating fever, weakness and loss of appetite. Animals with pulmonary involvement usually have a moist cough, rapid or difficult breathing, or in the terminal stages, animals may become extremely emaciated and develop acute respiratory distress.
Through a federal/state/industry cooperative effort, Tuberculosis has been nearly eradicated from the United States since its inception in 1917. Missouri has been considered TB-free since 1986.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture administers a Tuberculosis-Free Accredited Herd Program for Cervid herds using the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication: Uniform Methods and Rules established by USDA (APHIS 91-45-011).
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