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 for more information and opportunities for training. No application or fee is necessary.

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.

North West, REGION 1, Dr. Karen Martin, 13410 Dunham Rd.Meadville, PA  16335 - (814) 332-6890

North Central, REGION 2, Dr. Amy Nesselrodt, 542 County Farm Rd, Montoursville PA  17754 - (570) 433-2640

North East, REGION 3, Dr. Tony LaBarbera, Rt. 92. S., Tunkhannock, PA  18657 - 570-836-2181

South West, REGION 4, Dr. Erin Moore, 6 McIntyre Rd., Gibsonia, PA  15044, 724-443-1585

South West Central, REGION 5, Dr. Elizabeth Santini, 1307 Seventh St., Altoona, PA  16601, 814-946-7315

South Central, REGION 6, Dr. John Roberts, PO Box 5164 Harrisburg PA  17110, 717-346-3223

South East, REGION 7, Dr. Aliza Simeone, Rt. 113, Creamery PA  19430, 610-489-1003

Regional Offices Map