Further testing has confirmed that a sample submitted from a male white-tailed deer harvested east of Enderby is negative for chronic wasting disease (CWD).

CWD is an infectious and fatal disease affecting cervids, including deer, elk, moose and caribou.

The initial screening test by the B.C. Animal Health Centre showed a “non-negative” finding for the sample, meaning the disease could not be definitively ruled out and required more testing. Following standard protocol, the sample was sent to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reference laboratory for confirmatory testing. The laboratory conducted confirmatory testing using three different methods. All results were negative for CWD.

While this result is negative, CWD remains a serious concern in B.C. and does not change the confirmed presence of CWD within the provincial CWD management zone in the Kootenay region. Hunters remain essential partners in B.C.’s CWD surveillance efforts. People are strongly encouraged to continue submitting samples from deer, elk and moose harvested anywhere in B.C. to help determine where the disease is present and to detect new cases as early as possible.

The Province will continue implementing the actions outlined in B.C.’s Surveillance and Response Plan for CWD. This includes ongoing surveillance, targeted sampling in higher-risk areas, and continued collaboration with First Nations, local governments, hunters and partner organizations.

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

The Province remains focused on surveillance, limiting further transmission, reducing the spread of CWD to new areas, and minimizing impacts on wildlife populations throughout B.C.

To date, there have been six confirmed cases of CWD in B.C., all within the Kootenay region.

Learn More:

For more information about of chronic wasting disease, visit: 
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/wildlife/wildlife-conservation/wildlife-health/chronic-wasting-disease