Bovine Tuberculosis in Wildlife

Bovine Tuberculosis detected in east-central Saskatchewan

In response to the detection of bovine TB in a cattle herd in the province in early 2023, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment is conducting mandatory bovine TB surveillance of draw elk harvested in WMZs 37 and elk and white-tailed deer harvested during the regular seasons in WMZ 48. Hunters hunting in these zones are asked to submit heads from harvested animals for bovine TB testing within one month from the time of harvest at designated drop-off locations.

Attention Taxidermists and Processors

About Bovine Tuberculosis

Bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB) is a contagious chronic bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis. This is a different strain of bacteria than the one that causes TB in humans (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). The disease causes chronic debilitation and weight loss, and typically affects the respiratory system of affected animals.

Bovine TB primarily affects domestic cattle. Domestic species such as goats, pigs, cats, and dogs, as well as species of wildlife such as bison, elk, moose, and deer may also be susceptible. The disease can infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans, although cases in species other than cattle, elk and bison are rare.

Safe Field Dressing Practices

While it is possible for bovine TB to spread from animals to people, the likelihood is extremely rare. Humans may acquire bovine tuberculosis through unpasteurized milk and dairy products. The risk of humans contracting bovine TB from animals while field dressing is very remote. There has only been a single documented case of bovine TB transmission from a white-tailed deer to a human through exposure during the field dressing process. Regardless, hunters are encouraged to practice routine hygiene precautions while handling wildlife, including regular hand washing, cleaning knives and equipment, and ensuring meat is well cooked. Cooking meat to an internal temperature of 74°C (164°F) destroys the bacteria.

As a general precaution, it is recommended that hunters:

• Avoid direct contact with blood, feces and respiratory secretions of all wild game. Do not rub your eyes, eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game.
• Wear dish gloves or latex/plastic gloves when handling and processing game.
• Wash tools, work surfaces, and other equipment with soap and warm water, then with a 10 per cent solution of household bleach.
• Work in a well-ventilated environment. If working indoors or in a poorly ventilated environment, wear a mask to reduce your exposure to aerosols.
• Cook meat thoroughly.

What to Look For

An animal infected with bovine TB may have lesions in their lungs, rib cage or chest cavity that hunters will notice when field dressing the animal. The lesions can vary in size and texture and will be white, tan or yellow. An infected animal may also have enlarged lymph nodes.

If you find bovine TB-like lesions, take a photo if possible and contact the Ministry of Environment at 1-800-567-4224 or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 306-966-5815.

Submitting Your Animal for Bovine TB Testing

In response bovine TB detected in a Saskatchewan cattle farm, hunters harvesting draw elk in WMZ 37 and elk and white-tailed deer during the regular season in WMZ 48 are required to submit the animals’ heads for bovine TB testing within one month from the time the animal was harvested. Submission of mule deer and moose remains voluntary.

Submitting a head for bovine TB testing is the same as for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing. Hunters must first acquire a unique tracking number by entering their harvest information online on the CWDSK webpage. Heads should be double-bagged with the tracking number either securely attached to the outside of the bag or placed in a resealable plastic bag inside the bag. Heads can be dropped off at any regular CWD drop-off location. The whole head must be submitted for bovine TB testing. Additional lymph nodes from the head are required for bovine TB testing, as compared to CWD testing, so hunter collected samples are not suitable for bovine TB testing. An updated list of drop off locations can be found on the Chronic Wasting Disease webpage. Any submitted heads will be tested for both bovine TB and CWD.

As bovine TB has not been detected in wildlife in the province, hunters will only be notified of their bovine TB result if the animal tests positive for the disease. CWD results will be posted online. Hunters can use the tracking number they received when registering their submission to look up their CWD result on the Chronic Wasting Disease webpage.

Drop-off locations

Drop-off locations (pdf)

Hunters wishing to have their deer, elk or moose mounted can arrange with their taxidermist to pick up the head after it has been processed and submit it for testing. Heads with skull caps removed are suitable for testing. Hunters wishing to have their animal Euro mounted can also access Ministry of Environment sampling stations where a technician will be available to collect samples in Preeceville, Saskatoon and Regina. Technicians will be available on-site to remove the required samples for bovine TB and CWD testing, and tooth aging. Submitting samples collected at sampling stations can also expedite the CWD test result process for hunters. Technicians will be on-site at sample stations during the dates and time listed in the tables below. Hunters who do not wish to retain and mount their head can drop off the head at any designated CWD drop-off location in the province.

Please contact cwd@gov.sk.ca for any questions regarding CWD or bovine TB testing.

List of staffed sampling locations for bovine TB testing.

Please note: Hunters who wish to retain and mount their head can access the sampling stations. Hunters who do not wish to keep or mount the head can drop of their heads at any CWD drop-off location in the province.