The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship reports it has received confirmation two deer harvested in the Kootenays have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD).

“These newest confirmations are deeply concerning and the province continues to work with partners to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “Protecting B.C.’s wildlife is a shared responsibility, and we are grateful to hunters, First Nations and community partners who are working with us to respond and manage the disease effectively.”

CWD is an infectious and fatal disease that affects cervids, including deer, elk, moose and caribou. Both of these new cases were detected within B.C.’s existing CWD management zone in the Kootenay region, a ministry news release stated.

Once CWD is introduced to an area, it is unlikely that the disease will be eradicated completely. However, if caught early, management efforts can contain the disease to limit infection and the rate of further spread. Understanding what causes CWD and limiting risky activities, such as transporting infected materials, is key to preventing the spread of CWD to new areas.

“As more cases of CWD are confirmed, we are encouraging hunters in every part of B.C. to submit samples from every animal they harvest,” said Jesse Zeman, executive director, B.C. Wildlife Federation. “Hunters and hunting continue to be the best tool we have to identify and manage chronic wasting disease. Hunting is a useful tool in the targeted management of CWD hotspots to keep the prevalence of CWD low.”

B.C.’s eight confirmed cases were found from deer harvested in the East Kootenay, near Cranbrook, Kimberley and Jaffray.

As part of B.C.’s Surveillance and Response Plan for CWD, the province is working with First Nations and non-government partners to monitor and respond to cases of CWD to prevent transmission.

* Enhanced surveillance and targeted sampling are underway in affected regions.

* Outreach continues with hunters, local governments and wildlife organizations.

* Public guidance is available about safe handling and testing of harvested animals.

Expanding B.C.’s wildlife surveillance network and working closely with communities are key parts of the province’s approach to protecting animal health and monitoring emerging wildlife diseases.

Hunters are essential partners in detecting and responding to CWD in British Columbia. It is a condition of the general hunting licence that all licence holders who harvest a deer, elk or moose in the CWD management zone submit samples to a designated drop-off location. There is no cost for this.

Hunters also have the opportunity to participate in a special hunt within the CWD management zone, from Jan. 5-31, 2026, during which they may harvest one additional deer beyond the regional bag limit of two to support surveillance and response efforts.

Elsewhere in B.C., people are strongly encouraged to continue voluntarily submitting samples from harvested deer, elk and moose to help determine where the disease is present and how far it may have spread. The Kootenay and Peace regions are target areas for testing because those areas are at higher risk based on proximity to positive cases outside of B.C.

There is no direct evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans, and there have been no reported cases in people. However, to prevent any potential risk of transmission or illness, Health Canada and the World Health Organization recommend that people do not eat meat or other parts of an animal infected with CWD.

Learn more about Chronic wasting disease in B.C.

e-KNOW file photo

Article Share