The provincial government today confirmed the fourth additional case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) found in a white-tailed deer in the Cranbrook area.

Chronic wasting disease is an infectious and fatal disease affecting species in the cervid family, including deer, elk, moose and caribou.

The first two cases in B.C. were confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in January 2024. The third was confirmed in November 2024. These cases included a hunter-harvested mule deer and two white-tailed deer, one of which was killed in a road accident and the other was harvested by a hunter.

All three were collected near Cranbrook as part of B.C.’s ongoing chronic wasting disease surveillance efforts.

The latest case was confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Friday, Nov. 29. The sample was collected from a white-tailed deer harvested in October 2024. This case is another in a cluster of three cases found in white-tailed deer near Cranbrook.

There is no direct evidence that the disease can be transmitted to humans and there have been no reports of cases of disease in humans, a Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship media release stated.

 However, to prevent potential risk of illness, Health Canada recommends that people do not eat meat of an infected animal. Cooking temperatures cannot destroy the abnormal protein that causes chronic wasting disease if an animal is infected.

The province is working in collaboration with First Nations, stakeholders, experts and other partners in monitoring and mitigating risks of the disease, the media release said.

“More than 3,000 samples have been collected from the Kootenay region with only four cases of chronic wasting disease to date, which indicates a low disease prevalence. The current situation affords an opportunity to efficiently contain the disease in this area. The province is gathering data to help guide decisions and reduce the risk of the disease spreading. These measures are supported by First Nations, stakeholders and the broader hunting community,” the ministry said.

“Ongoing vigilance, preventative measures and enhanced surveillance are crucial to managing chronic wasting disease and protecting cervid populations and the communities that rely on them. People are encouraged to keep submitting their deer, elk and moose samples to improve the information during the ongoing response.

“Everyone should take note that restrictions remain in place for the transport, testing and disposal of deer, elk and moose carcasses, as parts of the animal can spread disease to new regions.”

Most infected animals will not show any symptoms of the disease. However, if anyone sees any deer, elk, moose or caribou exhibiting symptoms such as weight loss, drooling, poor co-ordination, stumbling, or generally sick, report it to the 24/7 Report All Poachers and Polluters Line at 1 877 952-7277 or the B.C. Wildlife Health Program.

Visit the B.C. chronic wasting disease website.

e-KNOW file photo

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