With the hunting season nearly upon us, there is an increased risk of Chronic Wasting Disease being transferred to humans through the wild game.

Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal and untreatable disease of the central nervous system that targets mammals like deer, elk, moose, and pronghorns. It was inadvertently introduced into Saskatchewan by farmed deer populations nearly three decades ago. The disease is related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as "mad cow disease" and kills those animals infected with it by creating holes in the creatures' brains. It develops very slowly and can take years before any symptoms show up, but is nevertheless ultimately fatal. 

Darrell Crabbe, executive director of the Sask Wildlife Federation warns that it could be dangerous for humans to consume meat contaminated with CWD.

"There was a study recently done on Macaques, which are probably the closest primates to humans that we have. And it indicated that yes, in fact, it can make that species jump. But it's under peer review right now, so, for now, we just have to refer back to the provincial and federal health ministries which both suggest that you not consume CWD infected meat."

Hunters bring in a large percentage of the game meat consumed in Saskatchewan, and they may want to consider having the head of their game tested for the disease before eating it. The Sask Wildlife Federation is currently working with the provincial government on a proposal that would identify certain zones where the infection rate of animals with CWD is particularly high. If the proposal is passed, it could become mandatory for hunters within those zones to have their game tested, but otherwise, the choice to have testing done is up to the individual hunters.

At this point, testing can take up to five weeks so the SWF is working with the government to streamline that process, as well as to set up kiosks around the province where hunters can conveniently drop off their game for testing.

"The prevalence rate [of CWD] is going up," says Crabbe, "But we're also becoming better adapted to work in this unfortunate reality."

Crabbe is confident that testing will get better and more efficient in the upcoming years.