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Chronic Wasting Disease

Last updated on September 10, 2024

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal infection that affects species in the deer family (cervids) such as mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose and caribou. 

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About CWD

CWD is a neurological disease that affects species in the deer family (cervids), including deer, elk, moose and caribou. The disease is caused by abnormal proteins (called prions) that accumulate in tissues, most significantly in the brain. There is no vaccine or treatment – the disease is always fatal. 

Origins of CWD

The origin of CWD is unknown. The disease was first detected in captive mule deer in a Colorado research facility in the 1960s. It was later described as a prion disease and continued to spread to free-ranging deer and elk populations. The disease has since been confirmed in captive and free-ranging elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer and moose in 35 American states and 4 Canadian provinces.  

CWD transmission and spread

An infected animal will shed infectious proteins (prions) through urine, feces, and saliva. CWD prions may also enter the environment via infected carcasses or contaminated material such as hay or urine-based scents (urine scented products used for hunting and trapping). Animals are exposed to the disease by direct animal-to-animal contact or contact with a contaminated environment. The disease can then be spread by natural animal movement or human movement of infected animals, animal parts and/or contaminated materials. 

CWD in B.C.

CWD was detected for the first time in B.C. in January 2024 in deer samples from the Kootenay Region. View the positive detections map (PDF, 979KB) to see the known cases of CWD in BC.  

Surveillance and preventative measures have been ongoing in B.C. for over 20 years, with targeted efforts in the highest risk areas. With vital support from partners and communities, the government of B.C. has been able to detect this disease early. The priority now is expanded surveillance and risk mitigation that aims to reduce disease transmission, prevent spread to new areas and limit the negative impacts of CWD as much as possible.

Be part of the solution

You can play an important role in CWD management in B.C.:

For more information, see the Surveillance and Response Plan for CWD in B.C. (PDF, 650KB).

Preventing the spread

Preventing the spread of CWD is important to limit the negative impacts as much as possible. Visit the CWD prevention page to learn more about: 

  • How to prevent the spread of CWD  
  • Human activities that increase risk 
  • Hunting regulations and restrictions
  • Safe game meat handling

Visit the CWD prevention page 

Surveillance and testing 

Surveillance and testing are important to track the occurrence of CWD and identify cases as soon as possible. Visit the surveillance and testing page to learn more about:  

  • Why surveillance is important  
  • Mandatory testing requirement 
  • Drop-off locations 
  • Instructions for submitting samples and harvest locations 
  • How to find your CWD result 
  • how to report a sick animal 

Visit the surveillance and testing page

Response and management

CWD response and management strategies are based on principles of disease management and what has worked in other places.  

Visit the response and management page to learn more about:  

  • Partnership with First Nations  
  • Collaboration with partners and interest groups 
  • Initial response to a CWD detection
  • The recommended management approach 
  • The adaptive management framework

Visit the response and management page

Resources to learn more about CWD 

Learn more about CWD and help us to raise awareness by sharing this content.

Visit the CWD Resources page to learn more about: 

  • The facts behind the cause and symptoms of CWD 
  • CWD and potential human health risk 
  • Conservation risk for cervid populations
  • What hunters, ranchers and butchers need to know
  • What resources you can share 

Visit the CWD Resources page

Latest news in B.C.

The latest news for CWD will be posted here. Learn more and help us raise awareness by sharing this content.  

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Province takes further action to manage chronic wasting disease - July 19, 2024

Government is taking further steps to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer populations and to protect elk, moose and caribou that are also at risk of infection.

 

B.C. government continues deer harvest to test for chronic wasting disease - April 23, 2024

The B.C. government continues to address chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the Kootenay Region where two deer samples tested positive for CWD earlier this year.

 

B.C. government will harvest 25 deer for chronic wasting disease testing - Mar 12, 2024

The B.C. government is taking further action to address chronic wasting disease by conducting a limited deer harvest in the Kootenay region where two deer samples tested positive for chronic wasting disease earlier this year.

 

New restrictions for region affected by Chronic Wasting Disease - February 13, 2024

The Chief Veterinarian has issued General Order CWD2024-001 (PDF, 255 KB) in response to the detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in B.C. The restrictions apply within the Initial Response Area (PDF, 545KB), defined as Management Units 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, and a portion of 4-22. This is south of and including Highway 3, which is situated between south of Cranbrook toward the United States border, west to the Moyie Range, and east to the Macdonald Range. The order applies to all cervids, including deer, elk, moose and caribou.

All persons who collect found dead cervids, or parts of found dead cervids (including cervids harvested as a result of hunting) in the response area must:

  • Submit heads for testing to a government testing site or drop-off location
  • Not remove or use, untested portions of any cervid from the response area. Until testing is complete and the result is confirmed negative for the presence of CWD, untested portions may only be either:
    • transported to a Designated Disposal Site
    • held in a secure, leak-proof storage container
  • Portions of any collected cervid which tests positive for CWD must be held in a secure, leak-proof storage container until further instructions are received from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

Designated Disposal Sites

 

B.C. responds to first cases of chronic wasting disease in deer - Feb 1, 2024

The B.C. government is responding to the first cases of chronic wasting disease in British Columbia, found in two deer samples from the Kootenay Region.

 

Surveillance and Response Plan for CWD in B.C. updated July 2023

Surveillance is a critical component of disease prevention and management. Surveillance is required to confirm B.C.’s CWD status, to detect the disease as soon as possible and to provide information that will inform the response to a positive diagnosis in B.C.

 

 

Visit the CWD News archive for past years' new about CWD.

CWD Testing Results

View the latest CWD testing results.

Contact information

For wildlife-human interactions where public safety may be at risk call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line: 

For wildlife health inquiries or reports: 

Wildlife Health Office
250-751-3219
Wildlife Health email
CWD@gov.bc.ca