A contagious, fatal illness in deer, elk and moose has taken hold in the US and is now reaching other countries. While it has not infected humans yet, the risk is growingIn a scattershot pattern that now extends from coast to coast, continental US states have been announcing new hotspots of chronic wasting disease (CWD).The contagious and always-fatal neurodegenerative disorder infects the cervid family that includes deer, elk, moose and, in higher latitudes, reindeer. There is no vaccine or treatment. Continue reading...
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal neurodegenerative disorder affecting deer, elk, moose, and reindeer, is spreading across the US and to other countries. Scientists warn against calling it "zombie deer disease" due to growing concerns about potential spillover to humans. Experts warn that the US is unprepared for potential spillover to humans, which they say would trigger a global crisis with far-reaching effects on food supply, economy, global trade and agriculture, as well as potentially devastating effects on human health. They urge increased surveillance and warn that proposed cuts to public health funding will exacerbate the problem, as tens of thousands of people are potentially consuming infected game meat unknowingly.
