Scientists raise alarm about ‘zombie deer disease’ in Yellowstone jumping to humans

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Scientists are raising concerns that the chronic wasting disease, known as “zombie deer disease,” discovered in Yellowstone National Park deer may spread to humans.

National Parks Service officials said last month they discovered an adult mule deer buck carcass with chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the Wyoming area of the park, and The Guardian called the disease an “epidemic” in an article Friday.

The contagious fatal disease targets the brains and nervous systems of deer, elk, moose, caribou and reindeer and has no known vaccine or treatment. The disease leaves infected animals emaciated and lethargic, and it gives them a “blank stare.”

The disease has spread across Wyoming since the mid-1980s and between 10 and 15% of mule deer near Cody are estimated to have it, according to the Parks Service.

“There is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans or domestic animal species. However, it is recommended that tissues from CWD-infected animals not be consumed,” Yellowstone officials said.

However, epidemiologists told the Guardian that the lack of evidence of a “spillover” of the disease to humans does not mean it is impossible.

“We’re talking about the potential of something similar occurring. No one is saying that it’s definitely going to happen, but it’s important for people to be prepared,” Dr. Cory Anderson, who specializes in chronic wasting disease transmission, told the outlet.

Anderson and epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm, who closely studied bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the condition related to chronic wasting disease known as “mad cow disease,” said that thousands of people have likely eaten infected deer meat in Wisconsin, where game meat testing is voluntary.