COVID-19 Detected in Deers in Southwestern Ontario

Ontario Natural Resources and Forestry says SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected in white-tailed deer samples collected from southwestern Ontario in November.

Though, this is the first time that the virus was detected in wildlife in Ontario, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 was previously detected in Saskatchewan and Quebec.

Ontario Natural Resources and Forestry announcing the news said, ” There is currently no evidence that you can get COVID-19 from food, including game meat, however it is always important to cook meat to an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F) to kill any parasites, viruses or bacteria that may be present.”

National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (CFIA) says information on the impacts and spread of the virus in wild deer populations is currently limited and that there is limited information on whether animals can spread the virus.

According to the government website, some animals infected with coronavirus may get sick and show signs of illness, like fever, fatigue, sneezing, coughing, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, vomiting or diarrhea.