Zombie Deer Disease Spreads: Scientists Warn of Global Crisis
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal prion disease affecting cervids, is spreading rapidly across the US and internationally, with 36 US states now affected. Despite the lack of human cases to date, experts warn of a potential “national and global crisis” should spillover occur, given the high consumption of venison and the disease’s resilience in the environment. The US is deemed unprepared for a human CWD outbreak, lacking a unified national or international strategy, and current policies, such as wildlife feeding grounds and predator control, exacerbate the problem. The disease poses an existential threat to wild cervid populations and highlights the urgent need for improved surveillance and a change in management practices.
John Q. Hosedrinker