Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance in Ontario

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance in Ontario

Posted on August 12, 2026

The Ministry of Natural Resources is continuing its 2026 surveillance program to monitor Ontario’s deer, moose and other cervid populations for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal and untreatable disease that has been detected in neighbouring provinces and U.S. states.

Hunters can help support early detection by submitting eligible harvested deer for testing. During the 2026 hunting seasons, MNR crews will be conducting sampling in designated surveillance areas, including areas of Southern Ontario. Hunters may also be able to submit deer heads at ministry freezer depots, with locations to be announced in the fall.

Please review the attached fact sheet for information on CWD prevention, sampling, safe handling and what to do if you encounter a sick-appearing or strangely behaving cervid.

Questions or interested in providing samples? Contact Larissa Nituch at 705-313-2043 or Larissa.Nituch@ontario.ca.

Click here to view the 2026 CWD South Zone Sampling area.
Click here to view the 2026 CWD East Zone Sampling area.

For more information, visit Ontario.ca/CWD.