Wildlife Disease

Anthrax is a disease mainly of cattle, sheep and horses and is caused by a bacteria found in the soil. Any warm blooded animal, including wildlife and humans, can contract the disease. Infection results when the bacteria or spores produced by the bacteria enter the body.

Avian Influenza is a viral infection of birds. Wild birds, particularly ducks and geese, have carried influenza viruses for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Wild birds may carry avian influenza (sometimes known as bird flu) but not show any signs of being ill. However, they can spread the disease to other birds, including domestic poultry. Mammals can also catch an avian influenza virus from infected birds.

Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious and communicable disease caused by bacteria. It affects cattle, bison, deer, elk, goats, and other species, including humans.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal disease of the central nervous system of deer and elk. This disease belongs to a group of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). TSEs tend to be species specific and most are not believed by scientists to be naturally transmissible between different species. There is no evidence of CWD in Manitoba.

Hantavirus can be carried by deer mice, although other rodent species have been shown to be infected. The deer mouse can be pale gray to reddish brown, and has white fur on its belly, feet and underside of the tail. The deer mouse lives primarily in rural and semi-rural areas, but can also reside in urban centres. Hantaviruses are not spread from pets or livestock. See the Manitoba Health Hantavirus fact sheet for more information.

Lyme disease can be transmitted from infected deer ticks (blacklegged ticks) to humans. Lyme disease is not common in Manitoba; there has only been one laboratory-confirmed case. The ticks which spread Lyme disease are smaller than the more common wood ticks found in Manitoba, and unlike wood ticks, do not have white markings on their bodies. In the wild, adult deer ticks are usually found on deer, but may be carried on domestic animals such as dogs, cats and horses. More information on Lyme disease is available on the Manitoba Health Lyme Disease fact sheet.

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals, including humans. In Canada, the animals that most often transmit rabies are foxes, skunks, bats and feral cats.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a flavivirus that can infect and cause disease in people, birds, horses, and many other animals. Potential for WNV transmission from handling or consuming game is considered very low. There have been no documentd cases of WNV being transmitted to hunters from game. Hunters are encouraged to take common sense precautions when handling, cleaning and cooking game birds and mammals, including wearing glooves, washing hands and cooking eat thoroughly. See Manitoba Health and Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre websites for more information on West Nile Virus.

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Rabies
Bovine Tuberculosis in Elk
Anthrax in Wildlife
Chronic Wasting Disease in Elk and Deer
Avian Influenza