Sudbury-area hunters asked to get deer tested for chronic wasting disease

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is on the lookout for something akin to mad cow disease, only in deer, in the Sudbury region.

Seniors wildlife research technician Tore Buchanan said although chronic wasting disease has not yet been detected in Ontario, he still thinks it's a good idea to be monitoring deer in the Sudbury, North Bay and Parry Sound areas.

"It is a serious problem, and it has been in other jurisdictions that have it, so it could have detrimental effects on the size of the deer herd," he said, noting that the disease has led to significant declines in the deer population in the prairie provinces and American midwest.

Buchanan said it's difficult to contain the spread of chronic wasting disease because it is carried by protein particles, called prions, shed by the animals which contaminate the environment as well as transmit the disease directly to other animals.

While humans can contract a form of mad cow disease, Buchanan said there doesn't seem to be the same risk with chronic wasting disease.

"As far as scientists can tell to date, there doesn't seem to be any direct link to human health but they are advising caution against eating any infected animals." he said.

The closest the disease has been found to Ontario was ten years ago in New York state, when five cases were found and the state moved quickly to eradicate the disease. 

Hunters are being asked to bring in samples to test sites, listed here, so the ministry can track any potential cases.