Chronic wasting disease test results

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) test results for animals submitted to the B.C. CWD Program are available in the search function below.

On this page

• Search for your result
• How to interpret test results
• How results are tested
• Information about positive results

Search for your result

To search for your result, enter your ear card number in the search bar below. 

Be sure to enter the unique CWD ear card number associated with your sample.

The ear card number is found on the perforated, tear-off portion on the right side of the ear card, per the image below. This portion of the ear card should be removed and kept by the submitter for future reference.

How to interpret test results

Pending: The submission has been sampled by the B.C. CWD Program and is either in transit to or being tested at the provincial testing laboratory.

Negative: The provincial testing laboratory detected no evidence of CWD in the sample.

Not Tested: The submission was received by the B.C. CWD Program, but it was not sampled or sent to the provincial testing laboratory. Reasons a submission may not be sent for testing include: incorrect tissues were submitted to a drop-off freezer, a head or jaw did not contain the tissues required for testing, or the animal was aged as under a year old.

Unsuitable Tissue: The submission was sampled by the B.C. CWD Program, but the sample was deemed unsuitable for testing by the provincial testing laboratory.

How results are tested

CWD samples (including cervid heads, jaws and hunter-collected tissues) are collected through provincial CWD testing and surveillance. Surveillance submissions are collected from CWD Program drop-off freezers and taken to a regional sampling facility for sample and data collection. Once processed, samples are shipped to the Animal Health Centre (AHC) laboratory in Abbotsford for CWD testing.

The provincial testing laboratory (AHC) determines if a sample is negative or non-negative for CWD. Non-negative samples are submitted to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency laboratory where a positive or negative result is confirmed. 

Submissions to the CWD Program drop-off freezers within the CWD Management Zone are collected, sampled and shipped to the testing laboratory weekly during the hunting season. If your sample was submitted to a drop-off freezer outside of the CWD Management Zone, results will take longer to process.

Information about positive results

Positive results will not be displayed online to respect the privacy of the submitter. If a positive result is found, the hunter will be contacted directly and immediately. An investigation will be carried out to determine the location of the meat and carcass parts. The hunter will be advised to not consume the meat (based on public health recommendations) and arrange for proper disposal.

There is no legal obligation to turn in the meat. While it is the hunter’s choice to turn in the meat of a CWD positive animal, it is strongly recommended that that the meat is not eaten and is turned in so that it can be properly disposed of in a licensed incineration facility or designated landfill. Proper disposal is critical to avoid environmental contamination.