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 is a neurological disease that affects species in the deer family (cervids), including deer, elk, moose and caribou. The disease is caused by abnormal proteins (called prions) that accumulate in tissues, most significantly in the brain. There is no vaccine or treatment – the disease is always fatal.
The origin of CWD is unknown. The disease was first detected in captive mule deer in a Colorado research facility in the 1960s. It was later described as a prion disease and continued to spread to free-ranging deer and elk populations. The disease has since been confirmed in captive and free-ranging elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer and moose in 35 American states and 4 Canadian provinces.
An infected animal will shed infectious proteins (prions) through urine, feces, and saliva. CWD prions may also enter the environment via infected carcasses or contaminated material such as hay or urine-based scents (urine scented products used for hunting and trapping). Animals are exposed to the disease by direct animal-to-animal contact or contact with a contaminated environment. The disease can then be spread by natural animal movement or human movement of infected animals, animal parts and/or contaminated materials.
CWD was detected for the first time in B.C. in January 2024 in deer samples from the Kootenay Region. View the Positive Detections Map (PDF, 931KB) to see the known cases of CWD in BC.
Surveillance and preventative measures have been ongoing in B.C. for over 20 years, with targeted efforts in the highest risk areas. With vital support from partners and communities, the government of B.C. has been able to detect this disease early. The priority now is expanded surveillance and risk mitigation that aims to reduce disease transmission, prevent spread to new areas and limit the negative impacts of CWD as much as possible.
You can play an important role in CWD management in B.C.:
For more information, see the Surveillance and Response Plan for CWD in B.C. (PDF, 650KB).
Preventing the spread of CWD is important to limit the negative impacts as much as possible. Visit the CWD prevention page to learn more about:
Surveillance and testing are important to track the occurrence of CWD and identify cases as soon as possible. Visit the surveillance and testing page to learn more about:
Visit the surveillance and testing page
CWD response and management strategies are based on principles of disease management and what has worked in other places.
Visit the response and management page to learn more about:
Visit the response and management page
Learn more about CWD and help us to raise awareness by sharing this content.
Visit the CWD Resources page to learn more about:
The latest news for CWD will be posted here. Learn more and help us raise awareness by sharing this content.
Urban deer removal complete in Cranbrook, Kimberley - March 18, 2025
The B.C. government, with the support of the Ê”aq’am and the cities of Cranbrook and Kimberley, has completed the removal and testing of urban deer to curb the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).
B.C. government takes targeted actions to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease in urban deer - February 14, 2025
The government of B.C., with the support of the City of Cranbrook, the City of Kimberley and Ê”aq’am, is taking action to curb the spread of chronic wasting disease by targeted removal and testing of urban deer.
B.C. government takes additional steps to limit spread of Chronic Wasting Disease - January 31, 2025
The government of B.C. is taking additional action to protect deer and other related species from the potential spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).
View the latest CWD testing results.
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