Surveillance for the detection of Chronic Wasting Disease in Ontario

Researcher:

Dr. Rick Rosatte

Email:

rick.rosatte@ontario.ca

Phone:

705-755- 2280

Project Objectives:

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been detected in deer and elk in 14 U.S. states and 2 provinces (Alberta and Saskatchewan). Ontario has established a CWD surveillance program to serve as an early warning system for the detection of this disease in the province. Each year, about 1500 tissue samples are collected from Ontario deer hunters and tested for CWD. To date, > 4,000 deer and about 100 elk have been tested.

The disease is similar to Hoof and Mouth Disease, or BSE, which you may have heard about in the news.  However, it primarily affects deer instead of cattle.  It is a disease caused by prions, abnormally shaped proteins in the body that can replicate themselves and cause serious harm to the brain and other organs.

Collaborators and Participants:

• University of Guelph Prion Lab
• OMAFRA
• Ontario deer hunters
• OMNR Districts

Funding Partners: