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Saskatchewan environment officials say chronic-wasting disease was confirmed in three new wildlife management zones in 2017.

Chronic-wasting disease is a fatal infection of the central nervous system in deer, elk, reindeer and moose.

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It has been identified in 32 of the Saskatchewan’s 83 wildlife management areas.

The new areas are southeast of North Battleford, northwest of Yorkton and in the province’s most southwestern corner.

The province says 36 animals, including 30 mule deer and six white-tailed deer, have tested positive for chronic-wasting disease so far this year.

Hunters are being encouraged to test any animals they take down by submitting the heads to a field officer no later than Jan. 8.

“This disease is obviously expanding on the landscape and remains a concern for wildlife management in the province,” Brant Kirychuk, executive director of the Environment Ministry’s fish, wildlife and lands branch, said in a news release.

A human case of chronic-wasting disease has never been identified, but the province is discouraging hunters from eating or distributing for food the meat or other parts from animals that have not been tested or that are found to be positive.