Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Optimization Software Version 2

The Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Optimization Software Version 2 computes sampling recommendations to detect chronic wasting disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Driven by a combinatorial optimization algorithm, the software maximizes the return-on-investment to the wildlife agency while keeping the overall surveillance program within budget. The software pinpoints the combination of samples that should be tested for CWD in each population segment (adult male, adult female, yearling male, yearling female, fawn male, fawn female), category (hunter harvested, non-hunter harvested), and county of the state. Surveillance objectives accommodated by the software include monitoring known infections (MONITORING), searching for new infections (EARLY DETECTION), and providing detailed information to the public (PUBLIC COMMUNICATION). The software includes data templates for use in Tennessee, US, but may be adapted for use in other areas.