B.C. records 5th case of ‘zombie deer’ disease, more measures planned

A white-tailed deer is seen in a November 2020 file image. (Paul Chiasson, The Canadian Press)

Another case of chronic wasting disease has been confirmed in B.C.’s Kootenay region, as the government prepares for additional containment measures.

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said the latest affected animal was a white-tailed buck that was harvested by a hunter west of Cranbrook.

The infection was confirmed on Feb. 3, marking the province’s fifth so far.

In light of the new case, the B.C. Wildlife Federation announced it will be hosting an information session in Cranbrook next month, with an overview of the provincial response to the disease and information on how the public can help.

That includes the use of “hunting pressure,” according to the conservation organization.

“While prevalence (of the disease) remains very low, the B.C. Wildlife Federation believes we have an opportunity to take decisive action to limit its spread,” said executive director Jesse Zeman, in a statement.

The information session is scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 13, at the Heritage Inn.

The ministry told CTV News it considers hunting an important management tool, and that a “special hunt to reduce deer density” is already underway in a defined area near Cranbrook.

“The hunt boundaries are being expanded to include the area around the most recent (case) detection,” the ministry wrote, in an email. “Additional measures are also being planned and will be announced on Friday.”

All of B.C.’s confirmed infections have come from deer found near Cranbrook, though the disease can also spread to other members of the cervid family, such as elk, moose and caribou.

Affected animals exhibit symptoms such as weight loss, drooling, stumbling and poor co-ordination, leading to the nickname “zombie deer” disease, due to their disturbing appearance late in their infection.

Officials have warned hunters to avoid eating the meat of animals with chronic wasting disease, even though there is no “direct evidence” it can be transmitted to humans.

Anyone who spots an animal that appears ill is urged to contact B.C.’s Report All Poachers and Polluters hotline at 1-877-952-7277.