Five caribou and one moose in the Cold Lake–Fort McMurray region test positive

Alberta wildlife officials have confirmed the province’s first cases of meningeal worm, a parasite fatal to elk, caribou, moose and mule deer. Five caribou and one moose from the Cold Lake and Fort McMurray region tested positive, marking the first time the parasite has been detected in Alberta.

Meningeal worm, or Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, does not infect humans and meat from infected animals remains safe to eat. White-tailed deer carry the parasite without symptoms, allowing it to spread undetected.

Where it came from and why it matters

The parasite is naturally occurring in white-tailed deer across eastern North America. Officials suspect its movement into Alberta occurred through Saskatchewan, where cases have been reported before. The potential impact on Alberta’s wild herds is uncertain, but the parasite is known to cause paralysis, mobility issues and death in infected species.

Meningaeal Worm Cycle
Source: science.org

What Fish and Wildlife is doing

To understand how widely the parasite has spread, Fish and Wildlife Stewardship will now test white-tailed deer submitted for Chronic Wasting Disease sampling for meningeal worm as well.

Land users, hunters and the public are asked to report animals showing neurological symptoms to a Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Office. Signs include:

• head tilt

• twisted neck

• partial or full paralysis

• uncoordinated gait

• staggering

• circling

• falling over

Officials will update the public as more information becomes available.