The Province is responding to the first cases of chronic wasting disease in British Columbia, found in two deer samples from the Kootenay Region, with mandatory testing.

Mandatory testing and restrictions on the transport and disposal of any road-killed deer, moose, elk and caribou will cover an area south of and including Highway 3.

There is no direct evidence that the disease can be transmitted to humans and there have been no cases of the disease in humans. However, to prevent any potential risk of transmission or illness, Health Canada and the World Health Organization recommend people not eat meat or other parts of an animal infected with chronic wasting disease.

Anyone who sees a deer, elk, moose or caribou exhibiting any symptoms – weight loss, drooling, poor co-ordination, stumbling, or generally sick with no obvious reason – is asked to report it the to the 24/7 Report All Poachers and Polluters Line (1 877 952-7277) or the B.C. Wildlife Health Program.

The two cases were identified south of Cranbrook. The first sample was from a harvested adult male mule deer. The second sample was from an adult female white-tailed deer that was struck on the road. The diagnosis was confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reference laboratory on Jan. 31, 2024.

For more information, visit the B.C. the Chronic Wasting Disease website: www.gov.bc.ca/chronicwastingdisease