Introduction

Scientists have raised concerns about the spread of “zombie deer disease” and the potential risk of infection to humans. Chronic wasting disease (CWD), commonly referred to as zombie deer disease, has been reported in numerous deer, elk, and moose populations across the United States, Canada, Norway, and South Korea. This article discusses the alarming progression of the disease and the potential dangers it may present to humans.

The Threat of “Zombie Deer Disease”

Late last year, the first case of zombie deer disease was confirmed in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The disease, also known as chronic wasting disease (CWD), is highly contagious and devastating. It damages portions of the brain, leading to progressive loss of body condition, behavioral changes, excessive salivation, and eventually, death. Regrettably, there are currently no treatments or vaccines available, and the disease is 100% fatal.¹

Spillover and Contamination Concerns

Although there have been no known cases of CWD transmission to humans so far, experts fear that the disease could mutate and pose a threat. CWD is caused by misfolded proteins known as prions, and there is a precedent for prion diseases that originated in animals jumping the transmission barrier to infect humans. For example, during the BSE crisis, contaminated meat caused a new form of human prion disease called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.²

Studies have shown that CWD can be transmitted through the consumption of infected venison. While no human cases have been reported despite an estimated 15,000 infected deer and elk being consumed annually, the potential for the disease to mutate and become contagious to humans remains a concern.³

Transmission and Research Findings

Recent research conducted at Canada’s University of Calgary revealed worrying findings about the transmission potential of CWD. The researchers injected CWD isolates from infected deer into “humanized” mouse models, and this resulted in the mice developing CWD and excreting infectious prions in their feces. These findings strongly indicate that CWD in humans might be contagious and could potentially be spread from person to person, raising significant public health concerns.⁴

Conclusion

The alarm over the spread of zombie deer disease and concerns about potential human infection continue to grow among the scientific community. Further research is required to better understand the disease, its transmission risks, and potential preventive measures. As of now, experts urge caution regarding the consumption of infected venison and emphasize the importance of implementing robust contingency plans to effectively deal with any spillover of zombie deer disease into the human population.