from any cause. Before any cervidae is imported into the state it must have a health certificate, permit, meeting Iowa’s import requirements, (link) including a review of the herd history. Cervidae permitted entry into the state will be quarantined to the premises of destination and held in isolation until inspected by a departmental representative
Since the start of the CWD surveillance program in 2000, the farmed cervid producers have submitted over 1,300 brain samples for CWD testing; no positives have been identified in Iowa. If CWD is diagnosed in a farmed cervid, the farm would be quarantined and the disease eradicated using recommended disease control strategies. The threat of CWD is a serious concern to Iowa and the cervidae industry. All practical steps to minimize the risk of the disease spreading to Iowa are being taken.
Requirements for the Iowa CWD Program include annual inventory reconciliation recorded by a State District Veterinarian within 90 days of the CWD anniversary date. Inventory requirements are:
1) Records shall be kept to document the history/accountability of all animals in the herd. This includes identification, date of birth and sex of all animals born or received on the premise.
2) All animals must have two forms of official identification which are outlined in the Rules under 64.104 Definitions “Official Cervid Identification”.
3) A copy of a health certificate (CVI) properly filled out and signed by an accredited veterinarian shall be kept to document movement in or out of the herd.
4) Surveillance will be maintained by collecting and submitting appropriate samples from all cases of mortality, including slaughter, in animals 16 months of age and older, keeping copies of the laboratory reports.
The CWD Program herd producers upon satisfactory completion of their annual inventories will receive a letter of status verification, and also a billfold size certificate card with their herd’s status, anniversary date, and expiration date.
