'We don't want it circulating in the animal population;' Ont. deer test positive for COVID-19
For the first time in Ontario, COVID-19 has been discovered in wildlife.
In early January, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed five white-tailed deer in southwestern Ontario tested positive.
According to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF), samples were collected through the ministry's Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance program.
“The deer showed no evidence of clinical signs of illness and appeared healthy,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry.
Scott Weese, chief of infection control at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph said, “We know it’s been found in Saskatchewan and Quebec, so it was just a matter of testing and time before we found it in Ontario.”
White-tailed deer are one of many animals in Canada and the U.S. that have contracted COVID-19, others include minks.
Though the chances of catching COVID-19 from an animal are low, Weese said with more transmission there's a greater chance new variants will form.
“What we don’t want is it circulating in the animal population. Because if it gets into deer and keeps spreading and spreading we can send it back, but then maybe we can get a different strain that is of relevance to us.”
It is not known how the recently discovered white-tailed deer in the province contracted the virus back in November, which is why Weese believes more research is needed.
For several months, Ontario’s Ministry of Health, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative have taken samples from animals to test for the virus.
“First we want to figure out - are we getting infections in animals and if so what types of infections are happening, is it just transient infections that animals are getting over or are they infections that are leading to disease,” said Brian Stevens, a wildlife pathologist with the cooperative.
Stevens says hundreds of animals have been tested through health agencies in Canada since the summer, but only a handful have come back positive.
In an email sent to CTV News London, a spokesperson for the NDMNRF said 213 deer samples were tested in 2021, while 936 samples were taken from raccoons, skunks, minks, white-tailed deer and other mammals in Ontario and Quebec in 2020 for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
To this date, COVID-19 was not found in any of the 2020 samples collected in Ontario.
“Research and monitoring is ongoing to determine if and how many wildlife species are contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” the statement said.
The NDMNRF is currently working with multiple government agencies to conduct COVID-19 surveillance of certain wildlife in Ontario and Quebec, according to the ministry.
Since wildlife isn’t often in close contact with people, Weese believes the risk could be low for humans, while hunters, on the other hand, are more at-risk.
According to Weese, deer do not present with symptoms when they are sick, which is why it can be difficult to know if they’ve contracted COVID-19.
“All we know right now is that we can infect deer,” Weese said. “Does it stay in the deer population and can that come back to us or can they infect other wildlife that might be of relevance to us? Those are the big unknowns.”
To halt the spread of COVID-19-symptomatic people are being advised by health agencies to avoid being in close contact with animals.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.