Chronic Wasting Disease CWD deer diseases in canada

Is Chronic Wasting Disease Only a United States Problem?

by Jennifer Smith February 07, 2018

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal, neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose herds. The disease has made headlines in the States and is now known as the 'Zombie Deer Disease.'

Since the start of 2018, 22 U.S. states have reported cases of CWD in deer in places including: These include: Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

However, Canada has reported cases of Chronic Wasting Disease; and although it is not as big of a headliner as in the States, it is still a concern for deer farmers, livestock owners and deer hunters.

In 2017, Chronic Wasting Disease affected deer and elk herds in Saskatchewan. If deer farmers find CWD in deer herds, they must quarantine the farm with deer fencing and remove the infected deer. It is required to report the deer disease findings to the CFIA.