Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which was first detected in Manitoba last November, has been found in another two male mule deer in the province.
This comes from Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development, who say the two cases were detected in mandatory sample submissions of harvested animals near Dropmore and Coulter, Manitoba. Dropmore is near Lake Of The Prairies while Coulter is located southwest of Brandon near the U.S. border.
The province has expanded the harvested cervid mandatory biological sample submission zone (outlined in red on the map) in 2022 to help monitor for CWD. All licensed hunters in the expanded area are required to submit head and upper neck samples of harvested white-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk for testing. There are several locations in the Parkland to bring samples to. A list of them can be found starting on page two of the above link.
Chronic Wasting Disease is an incurable, fatal disease that affects members of the deer family including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, and caribou. If it spreads and becomes endemic to Manitoba, there is a serious risk that it will threaten the health of all cervid populations in the province. For humans, it is not known to pose a health risk, but eating meat from an animal infected with it is not recommended.
Any hunters who have concerns or questions about an animal they've harvested can call 204-638-4570 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can find the full release from Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development here.