Testing from areas outside of mandatory submission units offers invaluable information, and peace of mind for those consuming the animal.
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From the recent update, CWD prevalence is continuing to rise this year.
Male Mule deer average infection rate of tested animals is now 1/6...
http://aep.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/...s/default.aspx
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Update: January 7, 2019
The 2018 to 2019 program for monitoring CWD in wild cervids is well under way. We detected our first case from the 2018 hunting seasons in early October and things took off from there.
To date we tested over 2300 heads and detected CWD in 147 deer, primarily mule deer males, as well as in one cow elk (preliminary overall prevalence, approximately 6.5%).
The great majority of infected deer came from areas in eastern and east central Alberta in primary watersheds where the disease continues to occur. However, CWD was detected in WMU 252 (north of Mundare) for the first time.
The total number of CWD cases detected in wild deer in Alberta since September 2005 is 1067.
Annually Alberta tests at least 6000 heads for CWD so testing is just getting started. Testing was suspended across the holidays but began again in early January. Heads currently being tested generally were received in the 2nd and 3rd week of November. It is estimated over 3500 more heads will be tested in this year’s program.
Note that most of the head drop-off freezers were removed in December. Any remaining freezers will be removed in early to mid-January. However, hunters can still drop off heads at any Fish and Wildlife office. For further information, see: