Two American Hunters Die from Rare Prion Disease Linked to “Zombie Deer Disease”
In a recent study, researchers have identified two cases of hunters who died from a rare prion disease, potentially linked to the infamous “zombie deer disease” known as chronic wasting disease (CWD). The two men had consumed deer meat from a population where the spread of the disease was confirmed, making them the first possible cases of infection in humans.
The study, led by scientists from the Department of Neurology at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, found that the two hunters developed symptoms of confusion and aggression shortly after consuming infected deer meat. Both men eventually died, with one diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and the other showing symptoms consistent with CJD.
Experts believe that the prions, misfolded proteins that are toxic to the brain, were passed from the infected deer meat to the hunters, leading to the fatal disease. The researchers note the difficulty in definitively confirming CWD in human cases, as the symptoms of CJD can be similar.
Dr. Fabio Moda, a prion expert from the Besta Institute in Milan, explains that prions have a catastrophic impact on the brain, leading to symptoms such as behavioral alterations and cognitive decline. There is currently no cure for prion diseases, making them fatal in 100 percent of cases.
The study highlights the need for further investigation into the potential risks of consuming CWD-infected deer and its implications for public health. The researchers stress the importance of conducting more in-depth research to better understand the transmission of prion diseases from animals to humans.
The findings of the study, titled “Two Hunters from the Same Lodge Afflicted with Sporadic CJD: Is Chronic Wasting Disease to Blame?”, were published in the scientific journal Neurology. The cases serve as a reminder of the potential risks associated with consuming meat from infected animals and the need to take precautions to prevent the spread of prion diseases in humans.