Is ‘Zombie Deer’ Disease A Threat To Humans?
Colorado’s deer population is being hit hard by a horrible disease.
It's called Chronic Wasting Disease. It affects deer, elk, reindeer, and moose. It's been found in parts of North America and is here in Colorado. The infected animal may go a year or longer without developing symptoms. It’s always fatal, attacking the brain. The symptoms include weight loss, stumbling, and other neurological disorders.
The concern lies with the fact that 'Zombie Deer' disease is a Prion Disease. That family of illness is a neurodegenerative disorder that can affect both humans and animals. If that's the case can humans be infected with Chronic Wasting Disease? “It is probable that human cases of CWD associated with the consumption of contaminated meat.…It is possible that a number of human cases will be substantial and will not be isolated events.” That's the words of a University of Minnesota researcher.
A bill has been introduced in the Colorado Legislator to provide funding for more research on the disease.
Credit: Out There Colorado