“Zombie Deer Disease” Strikes Fear in North America
Experts are growing increasingly concerned about the rise of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in North American deer populations, with some calling it the “zombie deer disease.” This neurological pathology is causing hundreds of deer to display symptoms such as a dull look, foaming at the mouth, and difficulty coordinating, raising alarms about its potential impact on wildlife and humans.
CWD is caused by infectious protein particles called prions, which lead to brain damage in affected animals. What’s particularly worrying about CWD is that there is no vaccine or cure for the disease, and it is highly resistant and can spread easily among deer populations. Not only are infected deer at risk, but their ability to transmit the disease to other animals in the ecosystem poses a significant threat to the balance of the environment.
While there is a substantial species barrier for the transmission of elk CWD to humans, there is still some concern about the potential risk to humans. While there are currently no known cases of human encephalopathies attributed to CWD, direct and indirect exposure to the disease, such as consuming infected meat, is a concern. There’s also the possibility of a “species jump,” where the disease could transmit to humans, leaving us unprepared to deal with its effects.
The recent increase in CWD cases and its potential impact on ecosystems and public health have raised the urgency for further research and actions to prevent the further spread of this disease. Wildlife management and public health officials are working to address these concerns and seek solutions to mitigate the impact of CWD on wildlife and potentially on humans.