Zombie Deer Disease: Italian Researchers Shed Light on Mysterious Illness
In recent days, the discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in 800 deer and elk in Wyoming has sparked concern among researchers and animal health experts. The disease, also known as “zombie deer disease”, is a degenerative neurological condition that affects cervids such as deer, elk, reindeer, and moose.
Fabio Moda, a researcher at the Irccs Besta Neurological Institute in Milan, is one of the experts leading the charge in studying CWD. Moda, along with a team of prion disease specialists, is working closely with the Norwegian Veterinary Institute and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences to better understand the transmission and effects of this mysterious illness.
According to Moda, there is currently no evidence to suggest that CWD can infect humans. However, there is concern that prions associated with the disease could potentially be present in meat intended for human consumption. This has prompted the team at Besta to develop highly sensitive analytical platforms to detect these prions in order to protect public health.
CWD was first diagnosed in Europe in 2016 in a Norwegian reindeer, and since then cases have been identified in reindeer, moose, and deer in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Moda’s team is actively studying the distribution of CWD prions in cervid tissues and the potential transmission of the disease to other animals, such as sheep.
The symptoms of CWD include drooling, lethargy, and emaciation, giving affected animals a “zombie-like” appearance. Prions, misfolded proteins that accumulate in the brain, are responsible for causing the degenerative disease.
One of the key aspects of Moda’s research is the identification of peripheral biomarkers that can help recognize sick animals before they show clinical signs of the disease. This research is crucial in evaluating the potential transmission of CWD prions to humans and other animals.
As the team at Besta continues their work on CWD, they hope to gain more insight into this puzzling illness and develop strategies to prevent its spread. With their collaboration with international partners, they aim to protect both animal populations and public health from the dangers of zombie deer disease.