American researchers have warned about a dramatic increase in cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in wildlife across North America. They are also concerned that this virus could potentially spread to humans.
According to RT (Russia) on December 25, CWD, also known as “zombie deer disease”, originates from prions—abnormal infectious agents that alter the brain and nervous system of the host, causing affected animals to drool, become lethargic, lose coordination, and stare blankly.
A male deer at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming (USA). (Photo: Getty Images)
Experts describe this disease as a “slow-moving disaster”. Researcher Cory Anderson from the University of Minnesota explained that this disease is fatal, untreatable, and highly contagious. He warned that once CWD is transmitted in the environment, it is nearly impossible to eradicate.
Scientists also noted that CWD is resistant to disinfectants, formaldehyde, radiation, and can withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees Celsius, potentially lingering in soil or on surfaces for years.
According to Breanna Ball from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, in 2022, CWD was detected in approximately 800 samples collected from deer and elk across the state. She stated that infection rates have increased compared to previous years.
Scientists are particularly concerned that this disease appears to have infiltrated Yellowstone National Park in recent months. Former head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Thomas Roffe, remarked that CWD is highly related to ecology and noted that failing to contain its spread means millions of visitors to Yellowstone each year may soon face the consequences of CWD.
A report released by the U.S. Geological Survey earlier this month indicated that CWD is now present in 32 states and 3 provinces in Canada. According to the Alliance for Public Wildlife, no cases of CWD transmission to humans have been documented so far. However, epidemiologists in the U.S. and Canada warn that it is only a matter of time, as this disease is part of a series of fatal neurological disorders, including the infamous Mad Cow Disease. An outbreak of Mad Cow Disease in the UK during the 1980s and 1990s led to the culling of over 4 million cattle and 178 cases of the human variant, vCJD, due to the consumption of infected beef.
“We are talking about the possibility of something similar occurring. No one is certain it will happen, but it is important for people to be prepared,” Anderson stated.
