CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RECEIVES PROVINCIAL FUNDING

The Saskatchewan Government is continuing its efforts to manage chronic wasting disease (CWD) by providing the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre (CCWHC) at the University of Saskatchewan with a research grant of up to $170,000.

"This research gives us a better understanding of how the disease spreads and the effect it has on big game populations" Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. "The information assists in developing effective policies and future regulations to minimize the rate of transmission."

The CCWHC, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, provides a database and interactive website that hunters can check the test results of the samples they submit. The ministry has delivered a CWD program to manage the disease in wild deer and elk since 1997. During that time 47,580 samples have been tested, of which 350 have been positive.

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal brain disease that affects mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk and moose. There is no scientific evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of meat from infected animals. However, the ministry advises that meat from any diseased wildlife not be consumed.

For more information on CWD, visit the Ministry of Environment website at www.environment.gov.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Michele McEachern
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0412