Scientists Fear Zombie Deer Disease Could Infect Humans

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), also known as zombie deer disease, is a fatal neurological disorder that affects deer, elk, moose and other members of the cervid family. It is caused by abnormal proteins called prions that damage the brain and nervous system of the infected animals, leading to behavioral changes, weight loss, loss of coordination and death. CWD is highly contagious and can persist in the environment for years.

Zombie Deer Disease was first identified in Colorado in 1967 and has since spread to 30 US states and four Canadian provinces, as well as Norway, Finland, Sweden and South Korea. The disease poses a serious threat to the health and survival of wild cervid populations, especially in areas with high density and social interactions.

One of the most alarming aspects of CWD is the possibility that it could jump to humans, similar to how mad cow disease (BSE) caused a variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans who consumed infected beef. Although there is no conclusive evidence of CWD transmission to humans so far, some studies have suggested that it could be possible under certain conditions. For example, a 2019 study found that macaque monkeys fed with CWD-infected meat developed symptoms of prion disease. Another study found that human cells could be infected with CWD prions in a laboratory setting.

The risk of Zombie Deer Disease transmission to humans is still unknown, but it cannot be ruled out. Therefore, public health authorities recommend that hunters avoid eating meat from cervids that test positive for Zombie Deer Disease or show signs of the disease. They also advise hunters to wear gloves when handling carcasses, avoid contact with brain and spinal cord tissues, and use proper disposal methods for waste materials.

CWD is a serious and growing problem for wildlife conservation and human health. More research is needed to understand the origin, spread and potential impact of this disease. In the meantime, preventive measures are essential to protect both animals and people from this deadly threat.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of November 2023, Zombie Deer Disease had been reported in at least 414 counties in 31 states in the continental United States, as well as three provinces in Canada. The overall occurrence of CWD in free-ranging deer and elk is relatively low, but in some areas where the disease is established, infection rates may exceed 10% or even 25%. The disease has also been found in farmed deer and elk, with a rate of 79% reported from one captive herd.

Zombie Deer Disease has significant population impacts on cervids, as it causes increased mortality and reduced recruitment. A study in Wyoming found that white-tailed deer populations declined by 10.4% annually in areas with high CWD prevalence, compared to 0.9% annually in areas with low prevalence. Another study in Wisconsin found that CWD reduced the survival rate of adult male white-tailed deer by 46% and adult female deer by 27%. CWD also affects the reproductive success of female cervids, as they may abort fetuses or produce offspring with lower body weight and survival.

Recent Blog : Innovative Model for Assessing Global Water Storage