Scientists Fear That ‘Zombie Deer Disease’ Could Spread To Humans

Researchers in the United States are raising serious concerns about a surge in cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) among wildlife throughout North America, cautioning that this deadly virus may pose a threat to humans. Often referred to as ‘zombie deer disease,’ CWD is caused by prions—abnormal transmissible pathogenic agents that impact the host’s brain and nervous systems, resulting in symptoms such as drooling, lethargy, stumbling, and a vacant stare.

A recent report by The Guardian characterizes CWD as a “slow-moving disaster.” Dr. Cory Anderson, a CWD researcher at the University of Minnesota, underscores the severity of the illness, describing it as “invariably fatal, incurable, and highly contagious.” Additionally, he warns that once CWD infiltrates an environment, it becomes nearly impossible to eradicate. Scientists note that CWD exhibits resistance to disinfectants, formaldehyde, radiation, and incineration at 600 degrees Celsius, persisting in dirt or on surfaces for extended periods.

Recent findings indicate a rise in CWD cases, with approximately 800 samples from deer, elk, and moose in Wyoming testing positive last year—a notable increase from previous years. Of particular concern is the apparent spread of the disease to Yellowstone National Park. Dr. Thomas Roffe, former chief of animal health for the US Federal Fish & Wildlife service, emphasizes the ecological implications, given that Yellowstone’s ecosystem supports the greatest and most diverse array of large wild mammals on the continent.

The US Geological Survey, in a report published this month, reveals that CWD is currently present in 32 states and three Canadian provinces. Although no cases of CWD spreading to humans have been reported thus far, epidemiologists in the US and Canada stress that it could be only a matter of time. CWD belongs to a cluster of fatal neurological disorders, including the infamous mad cow disease or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The UK’s experience with BSE in the 1980s and ’90s resulted in the culling of over 4 million cattle and 178 human deaths from the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) contracted through infected beef.

Dr. Anderson emphasizes the potential for a similar scenario with CWD, stating that while it’s not certain, preparedness is crucial. The Alliance for Public Wildlife reports that up to 15,000 infected animals were estimated to have been consumed by humans in 2017, raising concerns about the potential crossover to human transmission.