MADISON - The topic was Immuno-prophylaxis and Therapy of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy. A challenge for the non-scientist, but the revelation of a potential vaccine for Chronic Wasting Disease drew a large crowd from the scientific and conservation communities at a forum presented at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources headquarters in Madison, Oct. 4.
All the major players were in attendance. Among them, Tom Hauge, Davin Lopez and Keith Warnke from the WDNR; Tim Van Deelen, Nancy Matthews (by video feed) and Chad Johnson from UW-Madison; Bryan Richards from the U.S. Geological Survey; and, a number of outdoor enthusiasts including Mike Riggle and Tony Grabski from the Wisconsin Conservation Congress Chronic Wasting Disease Committee.
The purpose of the forum was to announce and provide background on the development of a vaccine that induces strong immune responses specific for the misfolded form of the prion protein that causes CWD in deer and elk. A press conference was held later in the day at the Inn on the Park.
Contrary to what one might expect with a topic replete with scientific jargon, the presentation by Dr. Scott Napper, Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Saskatchewan and Program Manager for the Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Organization (VIDO), had everyone on the edge of their seats with the promise of a successful antidote to CWD.
Thus far, Dr. Nammer said, their efforts have produced a "robust immune response" in an injectable form, suggesting that the development of an oral vaccine holds promise. An adequate level of "specificity" has also been achieved, meaning that the vaccine only targets the misfolded prion.
Following his presentation of the science involved, Scott Adams and Peter Yui representing the not-for-profit organization Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise (PREVENT) discussed progress in bringing the project to fruition.
The Canadian team acknowledges they are at least four years away from having an oral vaccine ready for distribution, but they are optimistic about the potential. "We already have an injectable vaccine," Liu said.
Funding for the project is always an issue, Adams said. "We only have enough for the injectable phase," he said. As a result, only farmed animals would be treated initially.
Canadian scientists are directing their efforts toward elk since that is where they are finding the highest prevalence of the disease. However, a move toward white-tailed deer would not be a problem, they asserted.
The goal of the project is to market products to state agencies, hunters, private landowners and agricultural interests. While the issue of a delivery system in wild herds has not been addressed, that question has already been answered in Texas with its successful battle against rabies. Attracting deer to bait sites containing the vaccine might be one option.
The question was also raised regarding the current 15-Year CWD Plan recently approved by the Natural Resources Board and whether the control measures prescribed by the plan should be held in abeyance. Dr. Napper suggested Wisconsin's efforts should continue pending the outcome of the Canadian research.
The visit by the Canadian experts was sponsored by Safari Club International, a leading advocate for protecting the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. Vice President of SCI National Mike Christianson put the subject in perspective by emphasizing that there is a long way to go before a viable vaccine might be available.
"There are many potential hurdles to overcome before a vaccine is available for treating wild deer where CWD currently exists but we are excited that policy makers are taking a serious look at the potential of this discovery," Christianson said.
- Lee Fahrney is the Times outdoors writer. He can reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
All the major players were in attendance. Among them, Tom Hauge, Davin Lopez and Keith Warnke from the WDNR; Tim Van Deelen, Nancy Matthews (by video feed) and Chad Johnson from UW-Madison; Bryan Richards from the U.S. Geological Survey; and, a number of outdoor enthusiasts including Mike Riggle and Tony Grabski from the Wisconsin Conservation Congress Chronic Wasting Disease Committee.
The purpose of the forum was to announce and provide background on the development of a vaccine that induces strong immune responses specific for the misfolded form of the prion protein that causes CWD in deer and elk. A press conference was held later in the day at the Inn on the Park.
Contrary to what one might expect with a topic replete with scientific jargon, the presentation by Dr. Scott Napper, Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Saskatchewan and Program Manager for the Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Organization (VIDO), had everyone on the edge of their seats with the promise of a successful antidote to CWD.
Thus far, Dr. Nammer said, their efforts have produced a "robust immune response" in an injectable form, suggesting that the development of an oral vaccine holds promise. An adequate level of "specificity" has also been achieved, meaning that the vaccine only targets the misfolded prion.
Following his presentation of the science involved, Scott Adams and Peter Yui representing the not-for-profit organization Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise (PREVENT) discussed progress in bringing the project to fruition.
The Canadian team acknowledges they are at least four years away from having an oral vaccine ready for distribution, but they are optimistic about the potential. "We already have an injectable vaccine," Liu said.
Funding for the project is always an issue, Adams said. "We only have enough for the injectable phase," he said. As a result, only farmed animals would be treated initially.
Canadian scientists are directing their efforts toward elk since that is where they are finding the highest prevalence of the disease. However, a move toward white-tailed deer would not be a problem, they asserted.
The goal of the project is to market products to state agencies, hunters, private landowners and agricultural interests. While the issue of a delivery system in wild herds has not been addressed, that question has already been answered in Texas with its successful battle against rabies. Attracting deer to bait sites containing the vaccine might be one option.
The question was also raised regarding the current 15-Year CWD Plan recently approved by the Natural Resources Board and whether the control measures prescribed by the plan should be held in abeyance. Dr. Napper suggested Wisconsin's efforts should continue pending the outcome of the Canadian research.
The visit by the Canadian experts was sponsored by Safari Club International, a leading advocate for protecting the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. Vice President of SCI National Mike Christianson put the subject in perspective by emphasizing that there is a long way to go before a viable vaccine might be available.
"There are many potential hurdles to overcome before a vaccine is available for treating wild deer where CWD currently exists but we are excited that policy makers are taking a serious look at the potential of this discovery," Christianson said.
- Lee Fahrney is the Times outdoors writer. He can reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
