Scientists warn of a potential health crisis as ‘zombie deer’ disease spreads across the United States, raising concerns about its ability to infect humans.
The last thing we need is another 2020 on our hands.
At a Glance
- Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) affects deer, elk, and moose, causing severe neurological symptoms
- The disease has spread to at least 33 U.S. states and remains incurable
- Experts fear CWD could potentially jump to humans, similar to mad cow disease
- Hunters are advised to take precautions when handling deer and consuming venison
- Potential infection of feral pigs raises concerns about domestic swine and livestock markets
The Threat of ‘Zombie Deer’ Disease
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), commonly known as ‘zombie deer’ disease, is rapidly spreading across the United States, prompting scientists to raise alarms about its potential to infect humans. The disease, which primarily affects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose, causes severe neurological damage, rapid weight loss, and confusion, ultimately leading to death.
CWD is a prion disease, similar to mad cow disease, and has been identified in at least 33 U.S. states. The disease spreads through body fluids such as saliva, urine, blood, and feces, and can remain infectious in the environment for years. What makes CWD particularly concerning is its resistance to conventional methods of eliminating pathogens.
While no human cases of CWD have been confirmed, experts are increasingly worried about the possibility of the disease jumping to humans. Dr. Michael Osterholm, a leading expert on infectious diseases, expressed concern about the potential impact on public health and the economy.
“We know people are exposed to prions [infectious proteins causing CWD] through meat consumption. What we don’t yet understand is what would trigger human infection,” Dr. Michael Osterholm said.
The threat of CWD becoming a human health crisis is particularly alarming given that approximately 6 million deer are hunted annually in the U.S. This large-scale consumption of potentially infected meat significantly increases the risk of human exposure to the disease.
Impact on Hunting and Meat Markets
The spread of CWD poses a significant threat to the hunting industry and meat markets. Hunters are being warned about possible contamination from contact with infected deer, and experts advise taking precautions when handling and consuming venison.
“The BSE (mad cow) outbreak in Britain showed how things can get chaotic overnight when a spillover event occurs, say, from livestock to people. We’re talking about the potential of something similar happening. No one is saying that it’s definitely going to happen, but it’s important for people to be prepared,” Dr. Cory Anderson said.
Adding to the concerns, recent findings suggest that feral pigs might also be susceptible to CWD infection. This development raises serious questions about the potential impact on the livestock industry, particularly the swine market.
Given the potential risks associated with CWD, experts recommend several precautionary measures for hunters and consumers of venison. These include avoiding sick animals, wearing gloves when dressing animals, using separate tools for processing game meat, testing animals for CWD, and refraining from consuming meat from infected animals.
Be careful out there!
