One new case of chronic wasting disease confirmed in deer in B.C.’s Kootenay

JAFFRAY — A new case of chronic wasting disease has been detected in deer in British Columbia’s Kootenay region, bringing the total cases discovered in the province to nine.

A statement from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says a new case of chronic wasting disease has been confirmed in a white-tailed deer harvested near Jaffray, a small community in the East Kootenay region.

Chronic wasting disease is an infection and fatal illness affecting species such as deer, elk, moose, and caribou, and the disease has no known cure.

The ministry says the new case was detected through testing of hunter-harvested animals within B.C.’s established management zone, which aims to monitor, control and reduce the spread of the disease in cervid populations.

The statement says hunters, who play a key role in surveillance efforts, can participate in special hunts within the management zone to help improve understanding of where the disease exists and inform response actions.

The ministry says there is no evidence that the disease can be transmitted to humans, but health authorities have warned people not to consume meat from animals infected with chronic wasting diseases as a precaution.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 9, 2026.