A new potential threat to human everyday life has emerged from wildlife. Scientists have issued a warning about ‘Zombie Deer Disease’ after Yellowstone National Park reported its first case last month. Read ahead to find out more about the disease including its symptoms and possible threat to humans.
What are the symptoms of Zombie Deer Disease?
After the threat of ‘Zombie Drugs,’ scientists have issued a warning about the Zombie Deer Virus. As the name suggests, this aliment was initially discovered among deer and it is reportedly caused by prions (infectious agents).
Zombie deer disease’ concerns scientists over possible spread to humans pic.twitter.com/OBgshpVPKy
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) December 25, 2023
Its symptoms include drooling, feeling lethargic, stumbling, blank stare, and more which closely resembles the description of zombies in modern entertainment and literature which gives the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) its name.
The infectious agents can alter the hosts’ brains, and nervous systems. It is currently noted in deer, elks, moose, caribous, and reindeer. Scientists are searching for a vaccine or treatment for it but currently, the disease is fatal and widespread in Wyoming.
There’s a new outbreak of “zombie deer disease” and it’s affecting a lot of live stock and animals in the US. It can also affect humans as well so be careful….
— divine feminine 🍀 (@4notherW0rld) December 26, 2023
The Yellowstone National Park’s officials have estimated that 10% to 15% of the mule deers that migrate to the southeastern section of Yellowstone in summer are potentially infected with the disease. Unfortunately, despite being so widespread the long-term effects of the illness on deer, elk, and moose remain unknown.
Can Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) spread among humans?
Many people are in fear and looking up ‘Zombie Deer Disease in Humans’ Although, there aren’t any reports of it in humans, scientists have warned to stay away from wildlife as the CWD can have a potential risk of spreading among humans. It was first discovered from the carcass of a deer at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and has probably spread among 10-15% of deer.
About 10 years ago on Reddit, ppl on a thread were talking about prion diseases, CWD, and how people should be more scared of CWD becoming transmissible to humans and welp, there’s been a huge surge of zombie deer disease recently so yay, that’s now on my 2024 bingo card.
— Hannah 🇵🇸 (@coldpalindrome) December 26, 2023
The officials are keeping the example of the BSE ‘Mad Cow Disease’ outbreak in Britain in mind while issuing a warning to refrain from consuming or contacting animals that are at risk of contracting the disease. The prions can spread among humans from livestock so better safe than sorry.
World Health Organization has also recommended keeping a note of all known prion diseases such as Zombie Deer Disease that can spread among humans by entering into the diet. This has become even more important after the Covid-19 pandemic which reportedly began from bats and entered among human civilization through the food chain.
However, as per Fox News, no cases of the disease have been recorded among humans to date. On the other hand our primates, monkeys are at higher risk as they might eat meat from CWD-affected animals.
