Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan, Environment Canada, the Department of the Environment and the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative have raised funds to develop a wildlife surveillance program. Through the program, researchers, including Dr. Emily Jenkins of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, were able to fight 227 white-tailed deer in the county. Four returned positive for COVID-19, representing two percent of the population tested. “One of the great things we have in this province is that all our hunters are used to bringing their deer heads for testing for chronic diseases and other diseases. So we were able to take advantage of this wonderful program that already exists in the province to get smears from these submitted deer heads and test them for the SARS-Cov-2 virus. “ The researchers also tested 62 deer that also showed SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. This indicates previous exposure or active infection. COVID-19 cases of deer have been reported in Ohio and other Canadian provinces, although this is the first time Saskatchewan has been reported. Jenkins says that with the deer virus, it should not be a major concern for humans. He says researchers do not expect humans to catch the virus directly from deer. Saskatchewan government guidance advises hunters to dress, rub, and remove deer bones in a well-ventilated area, such as outdoors or in an outdoor shed or garage, to reduce the risk of exposure to particulate matter. of air. As a precaution, hunters are advised to follow hygiene routines when handling wild prey, including wearing a mask, gloves and washing their hands after dressing in the field.
