Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been detected in white-tailed deer in Manitoba for the first time since the disease was originally detected in 2021.
It was found in biological samples of 2 male white-tailed deer. There have now been a total of 20 positive cases of CWD in Manitoba. 17 of those cases have been found in male mule deer, 1 in a female mule deer, and 2 in male white-tailed deer.
CWD is an incurable, fatal disease that affects members of the cervid family which includes animals like deer, moose, elk, and caribou. An animal infected with the disease may appear healthy until the later stages of infection. As the disease progresses, infected animals become very thin and uncoordinated while displaying dropping ears and heads. They also can become unaware of their surroundings and often show excessive drooling.
The concern with CWD is that if it spreads, it could become endemic to Manitoba and affect the entire cervid population. The province thanks hunters who have been participating in efforts to manage the disease through submitting samples of harvested animals. To see if you are in a hunting area which requires mandatory samples, view the mandatory surveillance zones map.
CWD is not known as a health risk to humans, but meat from an animal infected with it is not recommended for consumption. For more information about Chronic Wasting Disease, visit the Manitoba government's website.
