The alarming rise of ‘zombie deer disease,’ officially known as chronic wasting disease (CWD), is causing concern among scientists. As the condition spreads among wildlife, including deer and moose in Canada, questions arise about potential risks to humans.
Chronic wasting disease is a prion disease, a neurodegenerative condition that infects cervids, including deer, reindeer, elk, and moose. While there have been no reported cases in humans, some experts raise concerns about the possibility of human transmission, citing experimental studies, the history of prion diseases, and the impact of climate change.
Jennifer Mullinax, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management at the University of Maryland, emphasizes that there has been no transmission from deer or elk to humans so far. However, concerns persist, leading to efforts to keep prion diseases, including CWD, out of the food chain.
The symptoms of ‘zombie deer disease’ include weight loss, excessive drinking and urination, poor balance, drooping ears, and difficulty swallowing, often leading to pneumonia and death. While there is currently no evidence that CWD can be spread to humans through consuming infected meat, encountering wildlife, or touching contaminated soil or water, researchers continue to investigate the possibility.
Studies have shown mixed results regarding animal-to-human transmission of CWD, and experts emphasize the unique resistance or barriers each species presents to infection. Recent experiments with macaques and “humanized” mice have provided conflicting results, further complicating the understanding of CWD transmission.
Contingency plans are being developed by organizations like CIDRAP in case CWD spills over to humans, with ongoing surveillance efforts and research exploring live tests for CWD. Concerns about potential mutations in CWD prions and the impact of climate change on deer populations add complexity to the evolving situation.
While the current body of research does not conclusively answer the question of whether CWD can breach the species barrier, ongoing efforts aim to better understand the disease and its potential impacts on both wildlife and humans.
