The province says there’s no evidence the first case of chronic wasting disease discovered in Manitoba is in any way linked to nearby farmed elk operations.
In a media release announcing the case, officials said it was found near Lake of the Prairies as part of the province’s wildlife health surveillance program. It was in a male mule deer, which was observed in an “unhealthy state” and euthanized Oct. 14 then subsequently tested.
The government noted ongoing surveillance efforts by the game ranching sector.
“The elk farming industry has ongoing CWD surveillance and there have been no reported cases in farmed animals in Manitoba,” the release read. “CWD does not infect cattle or other domesticated animals.”
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Because other animals in the area may have CWD, a hunting ban in the area for deer, moose, caribou and elk is coming into immediate effect, to prevent its spread through the transportation of diseased carcasses. The final boundaries are still being determined but the media release said it will “… initially include at least a portion of Game Hunting Area (GHA) 22.”
CWD is an incurable fatal disease that affects members of the deer family, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose and caribou. Animals infected with CWD may appear healthy until the later stages of the disease, and while CWD is not known as a human health risk, meat from a CWD infected animal is not recommended for consumption.
“In order to protect their health, hunters active in areas where CWD has been detected should have their harvested animal tested, practise safe carcass handling protocols and avoid consumption of any animal that has tested positive for CWD,” the province noted in the release.
CWD has been known to infect animals in Saskatchewan, Alberta and 24 states. Manitoba has had a prevention and surveillance strategy that included reporting and testing requirements for CWD, and made it illegal to bring certain unprocessed meat into Manitoba.
The province has begun to plan for additional CWD surveillance actions in the area surrounding this finding and will include stakeholders such as First Nations, Métis and other groups who need to be aware.
