Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) affecting deer and other ungulates in B.C. has been a topic of extreme concern since the first positive case was discovered in the East Kootenays in January, 2024. To date, there are four known positives with a potential for more to come given that most samples from the recent hunting season are still to be analyzed. Of the four known cases, three are within 10 km of Cranbrook.
CWD is a degenerative neurological disease that affects species in the deer family (cervids) and is caused by an abnormal protein called a prion. As the prions accumulate, they cause cell death in the brain and neurological disease, which is 100-per-cent fatal. Prions also accumulate in other tissues and may be shed by the infected animal into water or on plants and bedding through saliva, urine and feces.
We still have an opportunity to get ahead of the spread, but we need to act now to reduce the risk of CWD spreading more broadly, to stop the prevalence from growing to uncontrollable levels and to take meaningful measures to ensure the sustainability and health of our ungulate populations. As a wildlife and habitat conservation organization we have been actively involved in CWD mitigation plans to date but are now concerned that the government is not moving quickly enough to get ahead of the spread where known positive clusters are being confirmed.
Despite the prevalence level (a percentage of cases per sample size showing a positive result) of positive cases falling within the government’s level of acceptance (2% positive per sample size) we are adamant that sampling should continue with increased vigor. For successful mitigation and to stay ahead of a provincewide outbreak we need assertive action from the relevant government agencies. To achieve success in managing CWD the ministry needs to establish confidence and buy-in with the public.
Actionable plans need to be transparent and forthcoming. These plans need to be proactive instead of reactive and need to include increased sampling in, not only the immediate area, but in neighboring urban deer populations also. This idea may seem unpleasant and unnecessary to some people, but the alternative is to witness the “town deer” suffer a slow and agonizing death and it won’t take long before the whole population is affected and decimated.
We encourage British Columbians to reach out to their elected officials and to the wildlife ministry to show your support for the mitigation of this potential pandemic here in British Columbia. We must seek out the answers and determine the next steps regarding when and who will be implementing them. There are far too many examples of provinces and U.S. states that have failed to stop the spread, so let’s advocate for continued proactive diligence. Not just for the benefit of hunters but for everyone who enjoys nature, and of course, for the ungulates! Let’s get ahead of the spread!
