A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

Transcription

1 A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

2 Prion Disease affects the central nervous system Prions are abnormal proteins that attack brain cells and leave holes in the tissue

3 Prion Disease affects the central nervous system Always fatal Long term population impacts

4 CWD is a type of disease called a TSE Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy BSE (Mad Cow), Scrapie, TME are all TSEs very different diseases - do not cross species

5 Human form of a TSE

6 Human form of a TSE CJD and CWD are different diseases but both TSEs prion diseases No direct evidence that humans can get CWD There has never been a human case of CWD

7 The only species susceptible to CWD are members of the Deer Family, Cervids CWD has been reported in (in Nature)

8 Caribou and Fallow Deer are considered susceptible but have not seen it in nature

9 2016: First cases of CWD in Europe Reindeer and Moose in Norway We do not know how it got there

10 2013: First case in Moose in Canada 2016: First Elk in Alberta 9 Elk, 1 Moose in Saskatchewan CWD mainly affects mule deer

11 Not a naturally occurring disease Originated in a research facility in USA (1960s) Spread from captive to wild cervids Introduced to Canada via game farm elk (1996) Continues to move west towards BC

12 BC s High Risk Zone Closest cases in wildlife to BC

13 Two ways CWD may enter BC... 1) By natural animal movement BC is considered at LOW RISK for the natural introduction of CWD * No native cervid farms in BC 2) By human importation of infected animals An infected carcass or tissues can contaminate the soil with prions A very real threat!

14 If you hunt in areas with CWD, don t bring the high risk tissues back to BC High risk = brain, spinal cord, lymph nodes, organs

15 CWD Regulation Prohibits the import of intact cervid carcasses Hwy signs at Alberta border crossings 2 signs installed in 2013

16 Symptoms weight loss poor coordination Stumbling trembling Animals do not always appear sick months for symptoms to develop

17 Research findings Transmission Direct contact with infected deer Contact with contaminated environment - Saliva, urine, feces - Infected carcass Prions live in soil for years Ingested - lymphatic/cns

18 Research findings Disease prevalence in captive very high due to density and opportunity for transmission Disease prevalence in wild remains relatively low - Saskatchewan 9.5% (hunter samples) - Alberta 3.5 %

19 Research findings Demographics 4 x more common in Mule Deer 2 x more common in Males

20 Research findings Spread Plants can retain and uptake infectious prions * Feed sources? Watersheds can act as a source & predictor Role of scavengers

21 CWD has not been found in BC Continued surveillance is required to maintain CWD Free status and to ensure early detection

22 BC CWD Program Prevention Outreach Surveillance Target high risk areas close to Alberta

23 WE HAVE LOTS OF HELP! BC Advisory Committee Regional Working Groups Staff, stakeholders, experts * looking for new membership * CWD Forum Canadian jurisdictions Academics, Researchers Staff, communities, volunteers Hunters and Trappers!!!

24 BC CWD Surveillance since 2002 Head submission is voluntary Harvested, road killed or clinical cervids TOTAL PEACE KOOTENAY OTHER TOTAL

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26 The Perfect Sample

27 WE CAN T USE Upper neck cut off Shot in head Less than 1 year

28 OK to remove antlers

29 OBEX and LYMPH NODES from Moose and Elk LYMPH NODES and TONSILS from Deer

30 CWD Diagnostics Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative Cutting edge, highly sensitive equipment Trying to bring testing to BC

31 PREVENTION IS 1 ST PRIORITY! If CWD is introduced to BC, early detection and good data will help us to focused our efforts

32 We need samples to improve our understanding of CWD in BC Wildlife Negative test results are important!

33 PLEASE SUBMIT DEER, ELK AND MOOSE HEADS!!! And report any sick deer, elk or moose to BC WILDLIFE HEALTH

34 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE DROP OFF LOCATIONS Any BC Wildlife office or COS office Peace Region: North Peace Rod & Gun Club, Fort St John Peace Taxidermy, Hwy 29 Richard s Meats, Pouce Coupe Kootenay Region: Rick s Fine Meat and Sausage, Cranbrook Wes s Country Meats, Fernie Gwinner s Country Butcher, Kimberely

35 We need your input! How can we get more samples? How can we get information out?

36 For more information: BC WILDLIFE HEALTH PROGRAM Phone: (250) Website: Thank you