​​Certified Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Technician

Only trained state and federal officials, certified veterinarians or PA Department of Agriculture Certified Chronic Wasting Disease Technicians may collect samples for CWD testing.  If no one is available to collect, the head may be taken to one of the PA laboratories (Penn State, PA Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg, or New Bolton Center, a fee may be charged for this process).  Note: If a cervid is behaving abnormally, it may have rabies or another dangerous transmissible disease and should only be collected by a veterinarian or regulatory official.

Anyone interested in learning how to collect, properly handle and submit CWD specimens to the laboratory may contact any PA Department of Agriculture Regional Office (refer to Regional Offices Map) or contact Dawn Dilling Cervid Health Program Specialist, for more information and opportunities for training.

Note: CWD Technicians should handle only specimens from normal, healthy cervids.  For cervids showing signs suspicious of CWD, always contact a veterinarian or animal health official.