Scientists are increasingly concerned about the potential spread of a haunting affliction known as ‘zombie deer disease’ to humans. The scientific term for this alarming condition is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), and it primarily affects deer, elk, and moose. CWD is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes emaciation, abnormal behavior, and, eventually, death in infected animals. The fear among researchers is that if this disease jumps species barriers, it could pose a risk to human health, raising urgent questions about the safety of consuming contaminated meat and the broader implications of the disease’s transmission beyond wildlife.
The Spread and Characteristics of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
Scientists in the United States are expressing growing concerns over the potential transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), commonly known as ‘zombie deer disease,’ to humans. The first-ever case of CWD in Yellowstone National Park has raised alarms as this highly contagious prion disease affects deer, elk, reindeer, and moose, exhibiting symptoms such as weight loss, stumbling, listlessness, and neurological issues. CWD has been identified in various regions, including North America, Canada, Norway, and South Korea.
CWD is part of a group of fatal neurological disorders, sharing similarities with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly referred to as “mad cow disease.” Scientists draw parallels to the BSE outbreak in Britain, emphasizing the need for preparedness given the potential spillover events from animals to humans.
While it is not guaranteed that transmission will occur, experts stress the importance of vigilance. Dr. Cory Anderson from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) highlights the possibility of a similar scenario to the BSE outbreak and underscores the importance of readiness.
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Symptoms and Distinctive Features of ‘Zombie Deer Disease’
CWD earned the moniker ‘zombie deer disease‘ due to the changes it induces in the brains and nervous systems of affected animals. With symptoms taking up to a year to develop, infected animals exhibit a range of distressing signs, including drooling, lethargy, emaciation, stumbling, and a distinctive “blank stare.” The disease poses significant threats to both wildlife and the environment, as there is currently no known method for its effective eradication.
The persistence of the CWD pathogen in dirt or on surfaces for years, coupled with its resistance to various disinfectants, formaldehyde, radiation, and incineration at high temperatures, makes it a formidable threat. The lack of a known method for easily eradicating the pathogen adds to the complexity of managing the disease. The Alliance for Public Wildlife estimates that a significant number of CWD-infected animals are unknowingly consumed by humans annually, posing an escalating threat.
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