At least 32 states in America and parts of Canada have seen reports of a virus dubbed ‘Zombie deer disease’ that could potentially spread to humans in what one experts calls a ‘slow-moving disaster.’
The fatal brain virus, which leaves animals confused, drooling, and unafraid of humans may someday infect people, as cautioned by some authorities.
According to Anderson, whose study focused on the pathways of CWD transmission, the disease is ‘invariably fatal, incurable, and highly contagious’.
‘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.’
CWD is a prion-transmitted disease, similar to ‘Mad Cow,’ which can cause weight loss, loss of coordination and other eventually fatal neurological symptoms in deer and related species.
The U.S. National Park Service said last month: ‘There is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans or domestic animal species.’
But the federal agency cautioned game hunters in particular, ‘it is recommended that tissues from CWD-infected animals not be consumed.’
This article by Stephen M. Lepore was first published by The Daily Mail on 27 December 2023. Lead Image: According to Anderson, whose study focused on the pathways of CWD transmission, the disease is ‘invariably fatal, incurable, and highly contagious’. ‘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.’ CWD is a prion-transmitted disease, similar to ‘Mad Cow,’ which can cause weight loss, loss of coordination and other eventually fatal neurological symptoms in deer and related species. The U.S. National Park Service said last month: ‘There is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans or domestic animal species.’ But the federal agency cautioned game hunters in particular, ‘it is recommended that tissues from CWD-infected animals not be consumed.’
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