Wasting ailment in four more deer

By CP

 
SASKATOON -- Four new cases of chronic wasting disease in Saskatchewan have been confirmed in wild mule deer shot in November.

The Environment Department says the positive test results bring to 11 the number of cases this fall for a total of 23 since testing began.

Joe Warbeck, an environment department business manager, said three of the deer were shot in Stewart Valley north of Swift Current. They were part of a wild herd already identified as having cases of the disease, so special permits are available for increased hunting.

The fourth deer was shot near Main Centre, which is about 20 km away from the specially designated wild herd.

"(This) . . . causes a little bit of a concern," Warbeck said. "Any time we find any positives outside of a herd-reduction area we say to ourselves, 'Is the disease spreading?' "

Chronic-wasting disease gradually eats away at the brain of infected cervids, members of the deer family.

Val Geist, professor emeritus of environmental science at the University of Calgary, said the condition is closely related to mad cow disease and should be taken more seriously.

There is no evidence of exactly where the disease originated in the province or whether it can spread from cervids to other species. Geist suggests the disease may be spread by bodily fluids. He pointed out male deer can come into contact with the urine of female deer hundreds of times a day during mating season.