CWD information for taxidermists and game meat processors

Recommended Decontamination and Disinfection Methods for taxidermist and meat processing equipment

These recommendations are selected from Gillin, Colin M., and Mawdsley, Jonathan R. (eds.). 2018. AFWA Technical Report on Best Management Practices for Surveillance, Management and Control of Chronic Wasting Disease. Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Washington, D. C. 111 pp.

  • Non-porous, surfaces (plastic or metal tables) and instruments used for collection of field samples (knives, forceps, scissors, jaw spreaders, saws)
    • Current recommendations are to use a 2%, (20,000 ppm) solution of bleach as a disinfectant solution. See notes for preparation of Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution in section A. and section B. for product information.
    • Instruments should be cleaned of organic material prior to disinfection using a detergent with activity against prions such as Tergazyme™ and wiped with paper towel or rinsed with water (dispose of paper towels in approved landfill) prior to disinfection.
    • Disinfection requires 10 minutes of contact time with the 2% bleach solution. Disposable materials (e.g., plastic gloves, boot covers plastic aprons, Tyvek suits)
    • Use disposable materials to prevent soiling of clothing. Dispose of these outer materials by bagging and [disposing] in an approved landfill
  • Non-disposable porous material (clothing, rubber aprons, rubber boots)
    • Clean off organic material with an enzymatic detergent such as Tergazyme ™.
    • If the material can handle it, then wipe down with 20,000 ppm bleach
      • Avoid using leather gloves or boots as they are difficult to clean without being damaged. Wear boot covers
    • Dedicate clothing /PPE to be used only in known enzootic areas. Do not transfer from the area unless it is stored in a container which is impermeable (heavy plastic tote) and labelled as prion infected.
      • When back from the field, all materials that are non-disposable should be re-cleaned and sterilized using the methods described below for use in the [facility].
  • Personal Protection
    • Bleach irritates mucous membranes, the skin, and the respiratory system. It also reacts readily with other chemicals.
    • Ensure the area is well ventilated when diluting or using bleach.
    • Protective gear - gloves, lab coat, coveralls or apron, and eye protection are recommended.

Notes about Chemicals and Preparing Working Solutions and Personal Safety 

Preparation of stock solutions

Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) 

  • Comes in concentration of 5.25–8.25%. (CLOROX ® bleach is a 6% Sodium hypochlorite solution or 60,000 ppm).
  • To make a 20,000 ppm (2%) solution, dilute 5.25 % bleach 1:1.5, bleach : water – for these purposes, a 1:1 dilution is fine with a resultant concentration of 25,000 ppm bleach.
  • Factors that degrade the disinfecting power of bleach:
    • Time (check expiration date on bottles)
    • temperatures above and below 50–70 °F
    • direct sunlight (use opaque bottles)
    • water, especially hot water
    • organic materials (blood, body bits, manure, dirt)

Make fresh bleach solution daily with cold water.

Some brands of bleach, Austin’s Elite Professional® and Austin A-1 Bleach®, do not require rinsing after disinfection.

Personal safety

  • Bleach and caustic lye are corrosive and require suitable personal protective equipment and proper secondary containment. These strong corrosive solutions require careful disposal in accordance with local regulations.
  • Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
    • Solutions continuously off gas chlorine and so must be kept tightly sealed and away from light. The amount of chlorine released during inactivation may be sufficient to create a potential respiratory hazard unless the process is carried out in a well-ventilated or isolated location. 

Equipment safety

  • Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
    • Non-corrosive to glass or aluminum
    • If bleach is used to clean or soak an instrument, completely rinse from the surfaces before autoclaving. 

Products Mentioned in Text 

Tergazyme ™ enzyme detergent with prion killing activity. Tergazyme Technical Bulletin (PDF)
Alconox, Inc., 30 Glenn Street, Suite 309, White Plains, NY 10603 USA, Phone: 914-948-4040 

Bleach (Sodium hypochlorite) 

Some brands of bleach Austin’s Elite Professional® and Austin A-1 Bleach® do not contain trace amounts of mercury and are safer for the wastewater stream. These are 5.25%. 

Help and get paid to collect CWD samples for WDFW

WDFW tests deer, elk, and moose for CWD with a primary focus in Eastern Region 1. If you are a taxidermists or meat processor interested in helping WDFW collect samples from hunter harvested and salvaged deer, elk, and moose, please contact WDFW at CWD@dfw.wa.gov to arrange collection. You will be paid $7 for each sample collected.