“Zombie Deer” Disease Spreads Across North America, Cause for Concern?
A concerning outbreak of the chronic wasting disease (CWD), also known as the “zombie deer” disease, is causing alarm in North America. The disease, which is a contagious and lethal neurodegenerative disease, has been affecting several species of cervids, including deer and elk. In recent weeks, around 800 animals in the state of Wyoming alone have been affected by this disease.
The name “zombie deer” disease stems from the symptoms seen in infected animals, such as loss of balance, coordination, difficulty in swallowing, and drooling, which makes them appear as forest zombies. The disease was first recorded in Yellowstone Park and has since spread rapidly, impacting local economies and ecosystems in the affected areas.
A recent study published in February 2024 indicates that the geographical range of chronic wasting disease is expanding, with reported cases in Canada, South Korea, and Norway. While there are no confirmed cases of transmission to humans, the increase in cases has raised concerns about the potential risks to our species.
Chronic wasting disease is transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or indirectly through contaminated objects or environments. The disease was first identified in the late 1960s in Colorado and Wyoming and has been reported in various cervid species, including Virginia deer, mule deer, elk, and Canadian deer.
As a prion disease, CWD belongs to a group of rare degenerative neuropathologies caused by protein-type pathogens called prions. Currently, there are no treatments or vaccines for prion diseases, making them incurable and fatal.
While there is no known transmission of CWD to humans at this time, the potential risk to human health remains uncertain. Researchers continue to study the disease to understand if and how it could represent a real threat to our species.