The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

Alberta wildlife officials identify case of mad moose disease

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. - Southern Alberta wildlife officials have identified what they say is the first case in Canada of a moose suffering from a neurological disorder associated with mad cow disease.

The diagnosis of chronic-wasting disease, also called CWD, was made after tests on an animal killed in a collision with a vehicle last November near Medicine Hat.

Chronic-wasting disease is related to the mad cow variant found in cattle and the human form known as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.

The province has been battling to prevent chronic-wasting disease from spreading to wild deer populations since 2006.

That's when the disease began being found in mule and white-tail deer populations in east-central and southeastern Alberta.

Since last September, 23 other cases of CWD have been diagnosed in deer out of nearly 3,000 specimens sent to the province for testing.

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Jets aren't dead (quite) yet

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • A Great Horned Owl that was caught up in some soccer nets in Shamrock Park in Southdale on November 16th was rehabilitated and returned to the the city park behind Shamrock School and released this afternoon. Sequence of the release. December 4, 2012  BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
  • Young goslings are growing up quickly near Cresent Lake in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba- See Bryksa 30 Day goose project- Day 11- May 15, 2012   (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

View More Gallery Photos

Poll

Do you miss the era of drive-in movie theatres?

View Results

View Related Story

Ads by Google