What Is Zombie Deer Disease?

Zombie deer disease is a catchy name for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal and contagious neurological disorder that affects deer, elk, moose and other members of the cervid family. Chronic wasting disease is caused by misfolded proteins. Misfolded proteins are proteins that do not have the correct three-dimensional shape that they are supposed to have. These misfolded proteins are called prions. Prions can infect the brain, spinal cord and other tissues of the animals. Chronic wasting disease belongs to a group of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which also include mad cow disease in cattle, scrapie in sheep and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.

Chronic wasting disease was first identified in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado, and has since spread to 30 US states, four Canadian provinces and several European and Asian countries. The disease is transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids, or indirectly through contaminated environments. It can remain infectious in the soil for years, making it very difficult to eradicate.

Chronic wasting disease affects the behavior and appearance of the animals. Infected animals may show signs such as weight loss, drooling, stumbling, aggression, lack of coordination, excessive thirst and urination, and loss of fear of humans. Some of these symptoms have earned chronic wasting disease the nickname of "zombie deer disease", although infected animals rarely live long enough to become zombies. Chronic wasting disease is always fatal, and there is no cure or vaccine available.

Chronic wasting disease poses a serious threat to the health and survival of wild cervid populations. According to some estimates, it could reduce the size of affected herds by up to 50% in 20 years. The disease also has negative impacts on the hunting industry, wildlife tourism, conservation efforts and ecosystem services provided by cervids.

Zombie Deer Disease in Humans

The risk of chronic wasting disease transmission to humans is currently unknown, but some studies suggest that it is possible under experimental conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that hunters avoid contact with sick or dead animals, wear gloves when handling carcasses, test harvested animals for CWD before consuming them, and avoid eating meat from infected animals. The CDC also advises people not to feed deer or elk, as this may increase the chances of spreading CWD.

Chronic wasting disease is a serious and growing problem for wildlife management and public health. More research is needed to understand the origin, transmission, diagnosis and prevention of this disease. More surveillance and testing are needed to monitor the spread and prevalence of chronic wasting disease. More education and awareness are needed to inform the public about the risks and precautions of it. And more collaboration and cooperation are needed among different stakeholders to address this complex and challenging issue.