(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.
Cont'd...