What is Zombie Deer Disease?
Zombie deer disease is an illness that not many people know about. It is caused by infectious agents known as prions cause chronic wasting disease. The illness strikes animals in the deer family, which includes: deer, elk, reindeer, sika deer and moose. The condition is called zombie deer disease — chronic wasting disease (CWD) — because stricken animals exhibit. Furthermore, the illness is rare and has been detected in 33 U.S. states since for roughly six decades. Along with other neurological symptoms that have been found, the following are some other symptoms:
- Drastic weight loss.
- Lethargy, stumbling,
- listlessness,
- Excessive drooling
Since 1997, the World Health Organization has said that it is important to keep the agents of all known prion diseases from entering the human food chain. A prion is a misfolded protein that can induce misfolding of normal variants of the same protein and trigger cellular death. Additionally, prion diseases — a.k.a. transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) — that are transmissible, fatal neurodegenerative diseases in humans and animals. Which is why its important for authorities are able to detect the zombie deer disease, and many others illnesses, in the United States and around the world.
However, some animal studies suggest that the zombie deer disease poses a risk to certain types of non-human primates, like monkeys. Why? Because they eat meat from CWD-infected animals. Furthermore, they also come in contact with brain or body fluids from infected deer or elk. These studies raise concerns that there could also be a risk to people.
How is it Affecting the U.S. Today?
Zombie deer disease cases are continuing to spread across the whole United States. Since the later half of 2023, 33 states have detected zombie deer disease so far, with more cases possibly happening throughout the U.S. Indiana being one of the main contaminated states confirmed this has been detected in an Indiana white-tailed deer for the first time. It comes weeks after it was revealed two deer hunters were found to have died from a condition they possibly contracted from eating infected deer meat.
However, in order to prove that it may be possible for CWD disease to be transmitted from animals to humans, more research is needed
Additional Information
Indiana is also the last reported state of this disease, while 32 others are fighting this fatal disease. Other states have reported increases in cases, according to the National Wildlife Health Center of the U.S. Geological Survey. As this illness is becoming more widespread, there has been a study in Texas of two dead hunters suggesting this being the reason.
Since being found in Colorado in the 1960s, the disease has been documented in 33 states. Additionally, the illness has also been found in several foreign countries, according to the National Wildlife Health Center.
Furthermore, infection rates may surpass 10% in a number of areas where the illness is widespread.
By Key Robertson
Sources:
Daily Mail: Terrifying ‘zombie deer disease’ reaches 33rd US state… as two hunters die from condition after eating infected deer meat
USA Today: A warning for hunters as ‘zombie deer disease’ spreads to another state: Maps
Independent: ‘Zombie deer disease’ detected in Indiana, 33rd state to see conditionCDC: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
Featured Image Courtesy of Chesapeake Bay Program’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of US Forest Service’s Flickr Page Creative – Commons License
