The province is reevaluating where some big game hunting will be permitted for the time being after a deer with chronic wasting disease was found.

On October 14, a deer with chronic wasting disease (CWD) was discovered, a first in Manitoba. It is not unknown to Canada or the United States.

"As part of the province’s wildlife health surveillance program, a male mule deer was observed to be unhealthy and was euthanized in western Manitoba, near Lake of the Prairies," the province of Manitoba says in a Monday evening statement. "Other animals in the area may also have CWD, so to ensure the disease is not spread through the transport of a diseased carcass, Manitoba will be immediately implementing a ban on hunting deer, moose, caribou and elk in the area."

The ban affects a portion of Game Hunting Area (GHA) 22 which includes areas north of Brandon. The province says they are currently evaluating the situation, possibly expanding the ban further. They are asking hunters in this area to have their harvested animals tested.

"The province has immediately begun to plan for additional CWD surveillance actions in the area surrounding this finding and has reached out to multiple stakeholders, First Nations, Metis and other groups who need to be aware."

Also known as "zombie deer disease," animals with CWD have chronic weight loss, show signs of brain lesions, become aggravated, and eventually die. It is uncurable. 

"The province will need the full co-operation of the public, including hunters, producers, and land-owners to ensure this disease is contained or even eradicated from the area."

Deer, moose, caribou and elk are affected by this. There are no known human cases of this disease, but people are asked to not eat infected animals.

There is currently no connection to elk farm populations.