Province implements mandatory chronic-wasting disease testing

PRINCE GEORGE – This week, the Province has implemented mandatory chronic-wasting disease testing, as well as restrictions on the transport and disposal of any road-killed deer, moose, elk, and caribou in the area where the first cases of the disease were found in B.C. in two deer samples last month.

The restrictions apply within the Initial Response Area, defined as Management Units 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, and a portion of 4-22. This is south of and including Highway 3, which is situated south of Cranbrook toward the United States border, west to the Moyie Range, and east to the Macdonald Range.

The disease is infectious and fatal. The public is encouraged to report any sightings of animals that exhibit unusual behaviour to the RAPP line (1 877 952-7277).

No evidence indicates that humans can contract it. Health authorities recommend that people avoid eating meat or other parts of an animal infected with chronic wasting disease.