Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious prion disease that affects members of the Cervidae family (“cervids”), which includes many native species in western North America, such as white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. CWD affects free-ranging and captive cervids in 35 U.S. states, including 20 WAFWA-member states, and five Canadian provinces of which three are WAFWA members.

To protect our native North American cervid populations, wildlife agencies are trying to slow the spread of the disease and prevent introduction to new areas. WAFWA is actively involved in helping member agencies navigate this effort (LEARN MORE).

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Upland game birds are captured and relocated within and between jurisdictions to facilitate a variety of management goals. The movement of wildlife carries the risk of transportation of pathogens to novel environments or populations; as well as the potential for naïve animals contracting disease when exposed to novel pathogens after relocation. Disease surveillance is therefore an important component of all relocation projects.

This document is designed to provide guidelines for diagnostic testing procedures that can inform management decisions, while at the same time protecting the health of wild bird flocks as well as reducing the risk of pathogen transmission to domestic poultry flocks. Although these guidelines were developed primarily for use by jurisdictions affiliated with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA), some may have broader application.  The gallinaceous species groups covered in this protocol are pheasants, grouse, quail, turkeys, prairie chickens and chukars.

A product of the WAFWA Wildlife Health Committee, July 2019.