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U.S. Geological Survey Science Strategy To Address Chronic Wasting Disease and Cervid Health in 2024–2028

Circular 1546
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1546

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Abstract

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a neurological disease similar to scrapie in goats and sheep, has been spreading since the 1960s throughout cervid populations in the United States. It is currently detected in 30 States and now also extends to Canada, Korea, and Scandinavia. CWD is a fatal disease caused by an infectious abnormally folded prion protein. Population-level effects of CWD on localized subpopulations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and elk (Cervus elaphus) have been documented. While susceptible to CWD, free-ranging moose (Alces alces) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) populations do not currently appear to be as severely affected.

The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Chronic Wasting Disease and Cervid Health Science Team is to deliver integrated science to build resiliency into free-ranging cervid populations through more effective management of CWD, build capacity for ungulate health science, and enhance cervid health information sharing across USGS science centers and cooperative research units as well as with stakeholders. The USGS can play an important role in supporting regional and (or) national capacity building by providing resources and guidance to local, State, and Tribal management entities and by providing tools to enhance disease management. The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area’s Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program (BTRP) is the lead Federal program for free-ranging wildlife disease research and surveillance.

The BTRP is relied upon by Congress, as well as local, State, and Tribal partners, to provide quality science that allows for informed decisions to be made about wildlife disease policy, planning, and management. The information provided by our research gives policy makers and the public the understanding needed to improve management preparedness and response.

This document describes the U.S. Geological Survey Science Strategy To Address Chronic Wasting Disease and Cervid Health. It lays out a 5-year science strategy (2024–2028) for continued USGS research to study CWD in free-ranging cervids and their environments. The strategy includes improving detection methods, advancing our understanding of the mechanisms of transmission, incorporating the human dimensions and socio-economic effects of CWD in scientific studies, developing tools for decision making, and understanding potential effects of this disease on ecosystem health.

Suggested Citation

Ferrante, J., Cook, J., Cross, P., and Hopkins, M.C., 2024, U.S. Geological Survey science strategy to address chronic wasting disease and cervid health in 2024–2028: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1546, 23 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1546.

ISSN: 2330-5703 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Congressional Mandates
  • Big-Game Migration Corridors and Cervid Health
  • USGS Science Strategy To Address Chronic Wasting Disease and Cervid Health in 2024–2028
  • Acknowledgements
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Congressional Language Mandating U.S. Geological Survey Studies of Chronic Wasting Disease
  • Appendix 2. Selected Publications by U.S. Geological Survey Authors on Chronic Wasting Disease as of May 2024
  • Appendix 3. Members of the U.S. Geological Survey Chronic Wasting Disease and Cervid Health Science Team
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title U.S. Geological Survey science strategy to address chronic wasting disease and cervid health in 2024–2028
Series title Circular
Series number 1546
DOI 10.3133/cir1546
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Office of the AD Ecosystems
Description iv, 23 p.
Country Canada, United States
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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