(a) Reporting of tests. All cervidae tested shall be
officially identified at the time of an official test. A report of
all tuberculosis tests, including the official identification of each
animal, a record of the size of the response of the Single Cervical
Tuberculin Test or the result of the TB Cervid Stat Pak Antibody Testing
where indicated, and test interpretation shall be submitted in accordance
with the requirements of the cooperating state and federal officials.
(b) Classification of cervidae tested.
(1) Single cervical tuberculin test.
(A) Herds of unknown status. All SCT responses shall
be recorded and the animals classified as suspects and quarantined
for retest with the CCT, unless in the judgment of the testing veterinarian
the reactor classification is indicated.
(B) Known infected herds. All responses shall be recorded
and the animals classified as reactors.
(2) Comparative cervical test--All responses are to
be measured to the nearest 0.5mm.
(A) Animals having a response to bovine PPD of less
than 1mm should be classified negative.
(B) Animals having a response to bovine PPD from 1mm
through 2mm that is equal to or greater than the avian PPD response
shall be classified as suspects.
(C) Animals having a response to bovine PPD greater
than 2.0mm but equal to the avian response shall be classified as
suspects, except when in the judgment of the testing veterinarian
the reactor classification is indicated.
(D) Animals meeting the criteria for suspect classification
on two successive CCTs shall be classified as reactors.
(E) Animals having a response to bovine PPD which is
greater than 2.0mm and is 0.5mm greater than the avian PPD response
shall be classified as reactors.
(3) Suspect SCT cervids may be retested by the CCT
only. The CCT may be applied within ten days following the SCT injection
or after 90 days. If the CCT is applied within ten days of the SCT,
the opposite side of the neck shall be used. Animals positive to the
CCT shall be classified as reactors.
(4) Suspects may be necropsied in lieu of retesting,
and, if found without evidence of M. bovis infection by histopathology
and culture (including selected NGL specimens submitted from animals
having no gross lesions indicative of tuberculosis), shall be considered
negative for tuberculosis.
(c) Classification of captive elk, red deer, white-tailed
deer, fallow deer or reindeer tested.
(1) Cervid TB Stat Pak antibody test.
(A) Herds of unknown status. All Stat Pak non-negative
responses shall be recorded and the animals classified as suspects
and quarantined for retest with the DPP unless in the judgment of
the DTE the reactor classification is indicated.
(B) Known infected herds. All non-negative responses
shall be recorded and the animals classified as reactors.
(2) Dual-Path Platform Test shall be performed on all
non-negatives samples submitted for Stat Pak Testing. Animals non-negative
on the Stat-Pak test and non-negative on a single DPP test should
be classified as suspect unless the DTE determines that a reactor
classification is warranted.
(3) Animals classified as suspect by a single DPP test
may be retested with the DPP test only with a new blood sample drawn
no sooner than 30 days after the initial sample was obtained.
(4) Animals that are non-negative on two successive
DPP tests should be classified as reactor.
(5) Suspects may be necropsied in lieu of retesting,
and, if found without evidence of M. bovis infection by histopathology
and culture (including selected NGL specimens submitted from animals
having no gross lesions indicative of tuberculosis), shall be considered
negative for tuberculosis.
(d) Disposition of Tuberculin-Responding Cervidae.
(1) Reactors shall remain on the premises where they
were disclosed until a state or federal permit for movement has been
obtained. Movement for immediate slaughter will be within 15 days
of classification directly to a slaughter establishment where approved
state or federal inspection is maintained. Alternatively, the animals
may be destroyed and necropsy conducted by or under the supervision
of a state or federal regulatory veterinarian that has been trained
in tuberculosis necropsy procedures.
(2) Herds containing suspects to the SCT shall be quarantined
until the suspect animals are:
(A) retested by the CCT within ten days of the SCT
injection; or
(B) retested by the CCT after 90 days; or
(C) shipped under permit directly to a slaughter facility
under state or federal inspection, or necropsied. If such animals
are found without evidence of M. bovis infection by histopathology
and culture (including selected NGL specimens submitted from animals
having no gross lesions indicative of tuberculosis), they shall be
considered negative for tuberculosis.
(3) Suspects to the CCT shall remain under quarantine
until:
(A) comparative cervical suspects are retested by the
CCT after 90 days; or
(B) such animals are shipped under permit directly
to a slaughter facility under state or federal inspection, or necropsied.
If such animals are found without evidence of M. bovis infection by
histopathology and cultured (including selected NGL specimens submitted
from animals having no gross lesions indicative of tuberculosis),
they shall be considered negative for tuberculosis.
(4) An animal meeting the suspect criteria on two successive
CCT tests followed by one suspect CCT test shall be classified as
a reactor and be identified as such. The testing veterinarian must
justify exceptions in writing and have the concurrence of State or
Federal animal health personnel.
(e) Identification of Reactors. Reactor cervids shall
be identified by branding with the letter "T" at least two by two
inches in size, high on the left hip near the tailhead, and by tagging
with an official eartag bearing a serial number and inscription "U.S.
Reactor" attached to the left ear of each reactor animal.
(f) Disposition of elk, red deer, white-tailed deer,
fallow deer or reindeer that are non-negative on the Stat-Pak test
and non-negative on a single DPP test.
(1) Reactors shall remain on the premises where they
were disclosed until a state or federal permit for movement has been
obtained. Movement for immediate slaughter will be within 15 days
of classification directly to a slaughter establishment where approved
state or federal inspection is maintained. Alternatively, the animals
may be destroyed and necropsy conducted by or under the supervision
of a state or federal regulatory veterinarian that has been trained
in tuberculosis necropsy procedures.
(2) Herds containing suspects to the Stat-Pak test
and a single DPP test shall be quarantined until the suspect animals
are:
(A) retested by the DPP test only with a new blood
sample drawn no sooner than 30 days after the initial sample was obtained;
or
(B) shipped under permit directly to a slaughter facility
under state or federal inspection, or necropsied. If such animals
are found without evidence of M. bovis infection by histopathology
and culture (including selected NGL specimens submitted from animals
having no gross lesions indicative of tuberculosis), they shall be
considered negative for tuberculosis.
(3) Animals that are non-negative on two successive
DPP tests should be classified as reactor. Any exceptions to reactor
classification must be justified by the designated TB epidemiologist
in writing and have the concurrence of the regional TB epidemiologist.
(g) Quarantine procedures.
(1) All herds in which reactor animals are disclosed
shall be quarantined. Exposed animals must remain on the premises
where disclosed unless a state or federal permit for movement to slaughter
has been obtained. Movement for immediate slaughter must be directly
to a slaughter establishment where approved state or federal inspection
is administered. Animals must be identified by official eartag. Use
of "S" brand is required, or animals must be shipped in an official
sealed vehicle. The "S" brand shall be applied to either the left
jaw or the tailhead.
(2) Cervidae herds in which M. bovis is confirmed shall
remain under quarantine if not depopulated, and must pass three consecutive
official tuberculosis tests of all animals. The first test must be
conducted 90 days or more after the last test yielding a positive
animal, with two additional tests at 180-day minimum intervals. Five
annual complete herd tests of all animals shall be given following
the release from quarantine.
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