The B.C. Government has confirmed a third positive case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a white-tailed deer near Cranbrook.
Officials say the sample was harvested in October from a deer within two kilometres of one of the previous cases. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the latest case on Wednesday, November 20.
So far, all three cases of CWD found in British Columbia were found in areas south of Cranbrook.
CWD is an infectious and fatal illness that affects the cervid family, such as deer, elk, moose and caribou.
While there is no direct evidence that the disease can be transmitted to humans, Health Canada and the World Health Organization recommend against eating meat or other parts of an infected animal.
“All cases to date have been found within a chronic wasting disease management zone that includes 14 wildlife management units in the Kootenay region. Measures are in place within this zone to continue to collect data to help mitigate the risk of disease spread,” said the B.C. Government.
“Ongoing vigilance, preventative measures and enhanced surveillance are critical to managing chronic wasting disease and protecting cervid populations and the communities that rely on them. People are encouraged to keep submitting their deer samples.”
Restrictions have been enacted in the hunting zones surrounding the initial discovery location, including mandatory testing.
The mandatory testing applies to Management Units 4-1 to 4-8 and 4-20 to 4-25, which includes areas east of Trail, south of Nelson, the Creston Valley, and most of the East Kootenay.
Carcasses may be transported as long as all spinal & neck bone/material is removed.
“If someone harvests a deer, elk or moose within the CWD management zone, they cannot leave the area with any part of the brain tissue or spinal column – that includes the spinal cord and vertebrae,” said Provincial Wildlife Health Biologist Cait Nelson.
“We’re encouraging hunters to leave as much of the animal as possible at the location where that animal was harvested. That helps limit the spread to a new area.”
Nelson says hunters play a vital role in monitoring for the disease.
“We’ve learned from experience that hunting is our most important tool for collecting samples and understanding what’s going on on the landscape,” said Nelson.
“They’re contributing to management as well. Hunting in these areas is helping to control CWD by removing infected animals.”
CWD may be hard to spot as symptoms may not present themselves for years, but if you see any deer, elk, moose or caribou exhibiting symptoms such as weight loss, drooling, poor co-ordination, stumbling, or generally sick with no obvious reason, you should report it to the RAPP Line at 1-877-952-7277 or the B.C. Wildlife Health Program.
