A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
Prion Disease affects the central nervous system Prions are abnormal proteins that attack brain cells and leave holes in the tissue
Prion Disease affects the central nervous system Always fatal Long term population impacts
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
Human form of a TSE
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
The only species susceptible to CWD are members of the Deer Family, Cervids CWD has been reported in (in Nature)
Caribou and Fallow Deer are considered susceptible but have not seen it in nature
2016: First cases of CWD in Europe Reindeer and Moose in Norway We do not know how it got there
2013: First case in Moose in Canada 2016: First Elk in Alberta 9 Elk, 1 Moose in Saskatchewan CWD mainly affects mule deer
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
BC s High Risk Zone Closest cases in wildlife to BC
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!
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
CWD Regulation Prohibits the import of intact cervid carcasses Hwy signs at Alberta border crossings 2 signs installed in 2013
Symptoms weight loss poor coordination Stumbling trembling Animals do not always appear sick - 18+ months for symptoms to develop
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
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 %
Research findings Demographics 4 x more common in Mule Deer 2 x more common in Males
Research findings Spread Plants can retain and uptake infectious prions * Feed sources? Watersheds can act as a source & predictor Role of scavengers
CWD has not been found in BC Continued surveillance is required to maintain CWD Free status and to ensure early detection
BC CWD Program Prevention Outreach Surveillance Target high risk areas close to Alberta
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!!!
BC CWD Surveillance since 2002 Head submission is voluntary Harvested, road killed or clinical cervids 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL PEACE 47 45 65 44 56 138 221 31 34 0 48 39 15 1 21 805 KOOTENAY 113 109 0 155 144 182 51 132 197 172 178 182 151 232 236 2234 OTHER 52 34 0 17 33 3 8 1 11 8 20 9 9 105 93 403 TOTAL 212 188 65 216 233 323 280 164 242 180 246 230 175 338 350 3442
2002-2013
The Perfect Sample
WE CAN T USE Upper neck cut off Shot in head Less than 1 year
OK to remove antlers
OBEX and LYMPH NODES from Moose and Elk LYMPH NODES and TONSILS from Deer
CWD Diagnostics Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative Cutting edge, highly sensitive equipment Trying to bring testing to BC
PREVENTION IS 1 ST PRIORITY! If CWD is introduced to BC, early detection and good data will help us to focused our efforts
We need samples to improve our understanding of CWD in BC Wildlife Negative test results are important!
PLEASE SUBMIT DEER, ELK AND MOOSE HEADS!!! And report any sick deer, elk or moose to BC WILDLIFE HEALTH
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
We need your input! How can we get more samples? How can we get information out?
For more information: BC WILDLIFE HEALTH PROGRAM Phone: (250) 751-3219 Email: cait.nelson@gov.bc.ca Website: www.gov.bc.ca/chronicwastingdisease Thank you