Scientists Alarmed By “ZOMBIE” Deer Infecting Humans

Scientists raise alarm over ‘zombie deer’ disease potentially jumping to humans, posing risks to hunters and meat markets.

At a Glance

  • Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) affects deer, elk, and moose, with potential spread to feral pigs
  • CWD is incurable, has no vaccine, and may develop new strains that could affect humans
  • The disease is spreading rapidly and is present in at least 33 U.S. states
  • Experts warn of a potential health emergency if CWD spills over to humans
  • Precautions advised for hunters to avoid potential contamination

The Threat of ‘Zombie Deer’ Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), commonly known as ‘zombie deer’ disease, is causing growing concern among scientists due to its potential to affect humans. This fatal neurological illness primarily affects cervids such as deer, elk, reindeer, sika deer, and moose. The disease, which causes severe symptoms including rapid weight loss, confusion, and neurological damage, has been spreading geographically since its discovery in 1967.

CWD is a prion disease, similar to mad cow disease, and is highly contagious among animals. It spreads through body fluids such as saliva, urine, blood, and feces, and can remain infectious in the environment for years. The disease has now been detected in at least 33 U.S. states, raising concerns about its rapid spread and potential impact on wildlife populations.

Potential Risks to Humans and Livestock

While no human cases of CWD have been confirmed yet, experts are warning about the possibility of the disease jumping to humans. The concerns stem from past experiences with similar diseases, such as the BSE (mad cow) outbreak in Britain, which demonstrated how quickly a disease can spread from animals to humans.

“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 concern is the potential for CWD to affect feral pigs and possibly domestic swine. Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert, warned, “We have some limited data now suggesting that feral pigs might be infected. If they can get infected, surely it’s possible domestic swine could also become infected? What would that do to the swine market? What would that do to the cattle market? These are huge issues.”

Implications for Hunters and Meat Markets

The potential threat of CWD to humans has significant implications for hunters and the meat industry. Approximately 6 million deer are hunted annually in the U.S., raising public health concerns. Experts are advising hunters to take precautions, including avoiding sick animals, wearing gloves when dressing animals, using separate tools for processing game meat, and having animals tested for CWD before consumption.

“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.

It’s important to note that cooking infected meat does not eliminate the prions responsible for CWD, making it crucial for hunters and consumers to be vigilant. The potential impact on the meat market could be substantial if CWD were to affect humans or spread to domestic livestock.

While the risk of CWD jumping to humans is not immediate, it remains a potential concern that requires ongoing research and monitoring. The disease is incurable and has no vaccine, making prevention and early detection critical. As the disease continues to spread among wildlife populations, scientists and health officials are urging for increased awareness and precautionary measures to mitigate potential risks to human health and the livestock industry.

The situation underscores the importance of wildlife management, public health preparedness, and the need for continued research into prion diseases.

Let’s hope this isn’t the next global crisis!