Zombie Deer Disease

Why in the news?

• Scientists and health experts are concerned about Zombie Deer Disease that it can evolve and spread to humans as well.

What is Zombie Deer Disease?

• Zombie Deer Disease, scientifically known as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
• It is a fatal neurological disease that spreads among animals such as deer, moose, and reindeer.
• The disease is named "zombie" because the affected animals behave abnormally and strangely.

How does it spread?

• This disease is caused by a type of abnormal protein called Prion.
• These proteins accumulate in the brain and destroy brain cells.

Major ways of spreading:

• Contact with bodily secretions:
  • By coming in contact with feces, urine, or saliva of infected animals.
• Consumption of infected meat:
  • By eating meat of an infected animal.
• Contaminated soil and water:
  • By coming in contact with soil or water contaminated with secretions of infected animals.

Symptoms of Zombie Deer Disease

This disease develops slowly and symptoms appear after several months:

• Rapid weight loss.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Excessive drooling.
• Unbalance in walking.
• Abnormal aggression.
• Excessive thirst and frequent urination.

Danger to humans

• At present, the direct effect of Zombie Deer Disease has not been seen on humans.

Concerns of scientists:

• Scientists believe that this disease can evolve and spread to humans.
• Prion diseases (such as mad cow disease) can be fatal in humans.
• Eating meat from infected animals can increase the risk.

What is its treatment?

• Currently there is no treatment available for chronic wasting disease.
• This disease causes death of the infected animal.

Prevention measures for this disease:

• Detect and isolate infected animals.
• Precautions during hunting:
  • Consume meat only from healthy animals.
• Preventing the spread of infection:
  • Identify and isolate contaminated soil and water.