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Resources to learn more about Chronic Wasting Disease

Last updated on September 11, 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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Cause and symptoms of CWD

CWD is caused by an abnormal protein called a prion, that accumulates in the central nervous system and causes a degenerative neurological disease (i.e. damage to the brain tissue). The disease can be transmitted through saliva, urine, feces, carcasses and even plants and soil. An infected animal may be contagious for months or years before appearing sick. The body does not recognize the protein as an infection so symptoms may take over a year after infection to show once damage to the brain has already occurred.

Signs of infection in deer include:

  • Weight loss
  • Poor coordination
  • Stumbling and trembling

If you see an infected animal:  
Please report to the 24/7 Report All Poachers and Polluters Line (1-877-952-7277) or the B.C. Wildlife Health program (250-751-3219).

CWD and potential human health risk

There is no direct evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans. However public health experts recommend that any animal suspected or confirmed to have CWD should not be eaten as a precaution. For more information on CWD and the human health risk, visit:

Conservation risk for cervid populations

Population level impacts, such as shifts in age structure and declining numbers, are not likely to be observed for several years. It takes time for the disease to establish and reach a threshold of disease prevalence where these impacts start to take effect – this will happen quicker without management intervention.

Jurisdictions (e.g. Colorado, Wyoming) that have had the disease for several years and have reached these thresholds are now seeing significant and irreversible declines in both deer and elk populations.

The best defense against CWD is to detect it early and apply management tools as soon as possible to limit transmission and spread. Once CWD is introduced to a free-ranging cervid population it is virtually impossible to eradicate the disease completely.   

What you need to know

Current distribution of CWD in North America

Visit the U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) page for a map of the current distribution of CWD in North America. 

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Information for hunters

 

Information for ranchers

 

Information for butchers

 

Resources to share

Fact cards

The fact cards below are a series of images that can be printed or shared on websites or social media.  ​

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is cause by an abnormal protein called a prion. Prions accumulate in the brain of infected animals, impairing brain function.

An infected animal can shed the proteins that cause Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) into the environment. Saliva, urine, feces, or the carcass from an infected animal could introduce CWD to B.C.

Hunters, you can submit a head for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing and still keep the antlers. Find out what samples to submit and where can you submit them at our website.

 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is found in species of the deer family, also known as cervids. There has never been a case of CWD in humans, sheep, or cattle.

Surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is important to detect the disease as early as possible. You can help by submitting the head of any cervid (deer, elk, moose) harvested in B.C.

Early stages of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) are not always obvious. A deer, elk or moose may be infected for over a year before showing symptoms.

 

Additional fact cards

​Posters

The B.C. Wildlife Health Program recognizes the generous support of the various partners and funding agencies that make this work possible.

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