About Zombie Deer Disease:
- Known scientifically as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), it is a progressive and fatal neurological disease which primarily affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
- It affects the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord).
- What causes CWD?
- CWD is caused by infectious proteins called prions.
- Prions are unique in that they don’t contain DNA or RNA, unlike bacteria or viruses.
- Instead, they are misfolded proteins that cause other proteins in the brain to likewise misfold, ultimately leading to brain damage.
- Once these proteins accumulate in the brain, they create spongy holes in the tissue, resulting in severe neurological dysfunction.
- Transmission:
- CWD prions are highly contagious and spread through body fluids such as saliva, feces, blood, or urine, either by direct contact or environmental contamination.
- Once present in an area, prions remain infectious in soil, water, and plants for years, posing long-term risks to animal populations.
- Symptoms:
- It has an extended incubation period averaging 18–24 months between infection and the onset of noticeable signs. During this time frame, animals look and act normal.
- The most obvious sign of CWD is progressive weight loss.
- Numerous behavioral changes have also been reported, including decreased social interaction, loss of awareness, and loss of fear of humans.
- Diseased animals also may exhibit increased drinking, urination, and excessive salivation.
- In the final stages of disease, animals become debilitated and ultimately die.
- How fast CWD progresses depends on the species and the animal's genetics.
- Treatment: It is always fatal in infected animals. There is no vaccine or treatment.
- Can Humans Get CWD?
- So far, there has been no confirmed case of CWD transmission to humans. However, experts remain cautious.
