[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR77.34]

[Page 232-233]
 
                  TITLE 9--ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
 
  CHAPTER I--ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 77--TUBERCULOSIS--Table of Contents
 
                       Subpart C--Captive Cervids
 
Sec. 77.34  Official tuberculosis tests.

    (a) Single cervical tuberculin (SCT) test. (1) The SCT test is the 
primary test to be used in individual captive cervids and in herds of 
unknown tuberculous status. Each captive cervid that responds to the SCT 
test must be classified as a suspect until it is retested with either 
the CCT test or the BTB test and is either found negative for 
tuberculosis or is classified as a reactor, unless, with the exception 
of a designated accredited veterinarian, the testing veterinarian 
determines that the captive cervid should be classified as a reactor 
based on its response to the SCT test. A designated accredited 
veterinarian must classify a responding captive cervid as a suspect, 
unless the DTE determines, based on epidemiological evidence, that the 
captive cervid should be classified as a reactor.
    (2) The SCT test is the primary test to be used in affected herds 
and in herds that have received captive cervids from an affected herd. 
When used with affected herds or in herds that have received captive 
cervids from an affected herd, the SCT test may only be administered by 
a veterinarian employed by the State in which the test is administered 
or employed by USDA. In affected herds or herds that have received 
captive cervids from an affected herd, each captive cervid that responds 
to the SCT test must be classified as a reactor, unless the DTE 
determines that the captive cervid should be classified as a suspect 
because of possible exposure to a tuberculous animal.
    (b) Comparative cervical tuberculin (CCT) test. (1) The CCT test is 
a supplemental test that may only be used for retesting captive cervids 
classified as suspects. The CCT test may be used in affected herds only 
after the herd has tested negative to at least two whole herd SCT tests 
and only with the prior written consent of the DTE. The CCT test may not 
be used as a primary test for herds of unknown tuberculous status.
    (2) A captive cervid tested with the CCT test must be classified as 
negative if it has a response to the bovine PPD tuberculin that is less 
than 1 mm.
    (3) Unless the testing veterinarian determines that the captive 
cervid should be classified as a reactor because of possible exposure to 
a tuberculous animal, a captive cervid tested with the CCT test must be 
classified as a suspect if:
    (i) It has a response to the bovine PPD tuberculin that is greater 
than 2 mm and that is equal to the response to the avian PPD tuberculin; 
or

[[Page 233]]

    (ii) It has a response to the bovine PPD tuberculin that is equal to 
or greater than 1mm and equal to or less than 2mm and that is equal to 
or greater than the response to the avian PPD tuberculin.
    (4) A captive cervid tested with the CCT test must be classified as 
a reactor if:
    (i) It has a response to the bovine PPD tuberculin that is greater 
than 2 mm and that is at least 0.5 mm greater than the response to the 
avian PPD tuberculin; or
    (ii) It has been classified as a suspect on two successive CCT 
tests.
    (iii) Any exceptions to reactor classification under the conditions 
in paragraph (b)(4)(i) and (b)(4)(ii) of this section must be justified 
by the testing veterinarian in writing and have the concurrence of the 
DTE.
    (c) Blood tuberculosis (BTB) test. (1) The BTB test is a 
supplemental test that may be used in place of the CCT test for 
retesting captive cervids classified as suspects.
    (2) Except as provided in Sec. 77.39(e), any captive cervid 
classified by the testing laboratory as ``equivocal'' will be classified 
as a suspect.
    (3) Any captive cervid classified by the testing laboratory as ``M. 
bovis positive'' will be classified as a reactor.
    (4) Any captive cervid classified by the testing laboratory as 
``avian'' or ``negative'' will be considered negative for tuberculosis.
    (5) The owner of the captive cervid tested is responsible for the 
cost of the BTB test.