Understanding CWD: Zombie Deer Disease Spreading Across the US
2 min read
Title: “Zombie Deer Disease Spreading Rapidly Across the US and Beyond”
More than half of US states continue to battle against a concerning and fatal neurologic disease known as chronic wasting disease (CWD), fondly referred to as “zombie deer disease.” As reports of CWD cases multiply, Kentucky recently confirmed a case in a 2-year-old white-tailed deer harvested by a hunter in November. The prevalence of the disease is not limited to the United States, as it has also been detected in Canada and some Nordic European countries.
Chronic wasting disease predominantly affects free-ranging deer, elk, and moose, progressively damaging their brain, spinal cord, and other tissues. Originating in Colorado in 1967, the disease has quickly spread to multiple states and even countries. While there haven’t been any reported human infections, recent research suggests that the disease may be more transmissible than originally anticipated.
The incubation period of chronic wasting disease can last over a year, making it trickier to detect and control. It spreads through contact with contaminated body fluids, tissue, or the environment. Due to the notable neurological signs it elicits, such as weight loss, lack of coordination, and excessive drooling, the disease has earned the chilling moniker “zombie deer disease.” It ruthlessly damages prion proteins within the animals’ bodies, culminating in severe brain damage and the development of other prion diseases.
Symptoms of CWD include weight loss, stumbling, lack of coordination, excessive thirst or urination, drooping ears, and the absence of fear towards humans. The disease has been reported in more than 30 US states and three Canadian provinces. Furthermore, reindeer and moose in Norway, Finland, and Sweden have fallen victim to CWD as well. Additionally, a few imported cases have emerged in South Korea.
In a recent incident that underscores the severity of the issue, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection ordered the culling of over 300 deer at Maple Hill Farms in 2022 due to the discovery of chronic wasting disease at the facility. This drastic measure demonstrates the urgency with which authorities are approaching the situation.
As the fight against chronic wasting disease intensifies, researchers and wildlife authorities across the globe are striving to develop effective strategies to curb its spread. Vigilance in monitoring, testing, and implementing stringent prevention measures is crucial to safeguarding not only the deer, elk, and moose populations but also the human population from this disturbing disease.
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