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.
CWD has been Confirmed (PDF, 979KB) in deer from the Kootenay Region. In accordance with the Surveillance and Response Plan for CWD in B.C. (PDF, 650KB), the Provincial Wildlife Veterinarian is leading response management with support and input from the CWD Advisory Committee and Regional Working Groups, which include First Nations, stakeholders, CWD experts and other partners.
The latest news for CWD will be posted here. Learn more and help us to spread the word by sharing this content.
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:
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.
Chronic Wasting Disease Annual Update 2022-23
Learn more about CWD and help us to spread the word by sharing this content.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and why it is important to prevent its spread in B.C.'s cervid populations.
Surveillance is a critical component in preventing the spread of CWD. Learn how you can report sick animals and submit harvested deer, elk and moose heads for testing.
Find out more about the proper conditions to submit a head for CWD testing and drop-off locations in B.C.
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View the latest CWD testing results.
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