‘Zombie deer disease’ could spread to humans as cases surge across US

Experts have warned that a deadly chronic wasting disease could soon spread to humans. Here is what you need to know.

There are fears “zombie deer disease” could soon spread to humans after cases of the deadly illness surged across the US.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), which causes infected animals to become listless and jittery, often drooling and grinding their teeth with a zombie-like blank stare, has spread to 32 US states and four Canadian provinces, according to the United States Geological Survey.

To date there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people.

However, some animal studies suggest the disease poses a risk to certain types of non-human primates, like monkeys, that eat meat from CWD-infected animals or come in contact with brain or body fluids from infected deer or elk.

Here is everything you need to know about the deadly disease.

The disease has been found in 800 samples of deer, elk and moose across Wyoming, in the US.

WHAT IS ZOMBIE DEER DISEASE?

Zombie deer disease — or chronic wasting disease as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls it — is a prion disease that affects deer, elk, reindeer, sika deer and moose.

The disease gets accumulated in the tissues and the brain and causes behavioural and physiological changes, emaciation and ultimately death.

The illness leaves animals drooling and confused and was first detected in November in Yellowstone National Park.

It has been found in 32 states in the US and some areas of North America, including Canada and in Norway and South Korea.

WHY ARE EXPERTS WORRIED?

The disease has been found in 800 samples of deer, elk and moose across Wyoming, in the US.

However, experts are worried that this is a slow-moving disaster and is likely to spread to human beings as well. It is fatal, with no known treatments or vaccines.

Chronic Wasting Disease researcher Dr Cory Anderson told The Guardian: “The BSE (mad cow disease) outbreak in Britain provided an example of how, overnight, things can get crazy when a spillover event happens from, say, livestock to people.

“We’re talking about the potential of something similar occurring. No one is saying that it’s going to happen, but it’s important for people to be prepared.”

Dr Anderson said the situation is worrying given that there is no known way to eradicate the disease ‘’neither from the animals it infects nor the environment it contaminates.”

“We’re dealing with a disease that is invariably fatal, incurable and highly contagious,” he said.

“Baked into the worry is that we don’t have an effective, easy way to eradicate it, neither from the animals it infects nor the environment it contaminates.”

No human cases have been detected yet but experts fear that will change.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

According to the CDC, the common signs of the disease are drastic weight loss (wasting), stumbling, and other neurological symptoms. Other symptoms seen in animals infected with this disease are listlessness, drooling, excessive thirst or urination, drooping ears, and lack of fear of people.

HOW DO I AVOID THE DISEASE?

While no human cases have been detected yet, the US CDC recommends to not shoot, handle, or eat meat from deer and elk that look sick or are acting strangely or are found dead (road-kill).

People should wear latex or rubber gloves when dressing the animal or handling the meat, minimise how much you handle the organs of the animal, particularly the brain or spinal cord tissues.

Avoid using household knives or other kitchen utensils for field dressing.

Originally published as ‘Zombie deer disease’ could spread to humans as cases surge across US