Vanouver/CMEDIA: An additional case of chronic wasting disease reportedly found in a white-tailed deer in the Kootenay region of the Province of British Columbia (B.C.). has been confirmed.
An infectious and fatal, chronic wasting disease causing serious harm to the animals’ health, affects species in the cervid family, including deer, elk, moose and caribou.
Three cases of the disease have been identified to date in deer populations in the Kootenay region.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed in Feb 2024 the first two cases in B.C., one being a male mule deer harvested by a hunter, and the other, a female white-tailed deer killed in a road accident.
As part of B.C.’s ongoing chronic wasting disease surveillance efforts, both were collected in Cranbrook.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed on Wed, Nov. 20, 2024 the latest case, within two kilometres of the other case found in a white-tailed deer near Cranbrook, the sample of which was collected from a white-tailed deer harvested in October 2024.
No direct evidence has been reported that the disease can be transmitted to humans. neither has there been any so far.
However, It has been recommended by Health Canada to not eat meat of an infected animal to prevent potential risk of illness, as cooking temperatures cannot destroy the abnormal protein causing chronic wasting disease of an infected animal.
Working in close partnership with First Nations, stakeholders, experts and other partners, the Province is tracking and mitigating the disease.
As all cases to date having 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.
Being critical to managing chronic wasting disease and protecting cervid populations and the communities that rely on them, ongoing vigilance, preventative measures and enhanced surveillance are in place encouraging people to keep submitting their deer samples to help inform longer-term chronic wasting disease management, in collaboration with First Nations and other partners.
As most infected animals do not show any symptoms of the disease, people are requested to report any symptoms such as weight loss, drooling, poor coordination, stumbling, or generally sick with no obvious reason seen in deer, elk, moose or caribou to the 24/7 Report All Poachers and Polluters Line at 1 877 952-7277 or the B.C. Wildlife Health Program.
