Chronic Wasting Disease in BC

Purpose: To improve understanding about Chronic Wasting Disease

Location: British Columbia, Canada

Description: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a fatal neurological disease that affects species in the deer family (aka cervids). CWD is caused by an abnormal protein called a prion.

Background: The disease has not been detected in BC but we have to look for it to be able to say that it is not here, so The BC Wildlife Health Program has been testing wild cervids since 2002. For more info go to the BC CWD program website

Funding: Limited

Partners: Animal Health Centre, BC Ministry of Agriculture, Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative

Observing Guidance: Observers are asked to record observations of any deer elk or moose exhibiting symptoms of CWD which include: excessive weight loss, poor coordination, stumbling, drooling, trembling.

Source Data: LEO Network posts.

Outputs: Contributed data will be added to LEO regional map, timeline trends, and to the BC Wildlife Health database. Contributed data will potentially be used in published reports or papers.

Project Updates: Project updates may be provided in forthcoming LEO BC newsletters, provincial reports and on the BC CWD Website

Resources:

Chronic Wasting Disease from the BC Wildlife Health Program

Current Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease from the USGS

Chronic Wasting Disease on Wikipedia

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