Canada - Manitoba: additional cases of deer infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD)

[Pathfinder]

December 9, 2022

PROVINCE ADVISES ADDITIONAL CASES OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE DETECTED IN MANITOBA

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Hunters Reminded of Mandatory Sampling Requirements

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Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development advises two additional cases of deer infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD) have been detected in Manitoba.

CWD is an incurable, fatal disease that affects members of the deer family (cervids) including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose and caribou. Animals infected with CWD may appear healthy until the later stages of the disease. If the disease spreads and becomes endemic to Manitoba, there is a serious risk that CWD will threaten the health of all cervid populations in Manitoba.

First detected in Manitoba in 2021, the two recent cases of CWD were identified from mandatory biological sampling submissions of animals harvested near the communities of Dropmore and Coulter where CWD was previously detected. Both cases occurred in male mule deer.

To assist in monitoring for CWD, the province expanded the harvested cervid mandatory biological sample submission zone in 2022. All licensed hunters in the expanded mandatory sample submission area are required to provide head and upper neck samples of harvested white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk for CWD testing. A list of sample drop-off locations is posted here: www.gov.mb.ca/nrnd/fish-wildlife/pubs/fish_wildlife/sample-drop-off-depots.pdf.

CWD is not known as a human health risk, but meat from a CWD-infected animal is not recommended for consumption. Hunters who are active in areas where CWD is a concern should have harvested animals tested, practise safe carcass-handling protocols and avoid consumption of any animal that has tested positive for CWD.

Samples results from harvested animals will be posted on the province’s website www.gov.mb.ca/nrnd/fish-wildlife/wildlife/cwd-results/cwd-results.html as they become available.

Hunters with concerns or questions about an animal that has been harvested can contact the province by email at CWD@gov.mb.ca or by calling 1-204-638-4570.

For more information, visit www.manitoba.ca/cwd.


https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=&item=57037

 

[Pathfinder]

Media Bulletin - Manitoba


Français

January 24, 2024

PROVINCE ADVISES ADDITIONAL CASES OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CASE DETECTED NEAR WINKLER

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Manitoba Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources is advising of the detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the southern-central region near Winkler.

CWD is an incurable, fatal disease that affects members of the deer family (cervids) including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, and caribou. Animals infected with CWD may appear healthy until the later stages of the disease. If the disease spreads and becomes endemic to Manitoba, there is a serious risk that CWD will threaten the health of all cervid populations in the province.

First detected in Manitoba in 2021, a total of 26 cases have been identified including 22 mule deer and four white-tailed deer. The latest case, a female white-tailed deer, was identified by a biological sample submitted by a hunter from the Winkler area. This new detection is in an area of Manitoba with no previous detections. Until this time, positive cases have occurred only in two distincts and localized areas along the province’s western border.

CWD is not known as a human health risk but meat from a CWD-infected animal is not recommended for consumption. Hunters who are active in areas where CWD is a concern should get harvested animals tested, practice safe carcass-handling protocols and avoid consumption of any animal that has tested positive for CWD.

The province thanks hunters for participating in efforts to manage CWD by submitting samples to the provincially run testing program. Testing turnaround times have improved considerably in 2023-24, now averaging approximately six to eight weeks following the submission of a sample.

Sample results from harvested animals will be posted at www.gov.mb.ca/nrnd/fish-wildlife/wildlife/cwd-results/cwd-results.html.

Hunters with questions or concerns about an animal that has been harvested can email CWD@gov.mb.ca or call 1-204-638-4570.

For more information, visit www.manitoba.ca/cwd

https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=&item=61678
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