Researchers are raising alarms about the potential of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), commonly called “zombie deer” disease, to cross species and infect humans. This lethal, prion-driven illness currently afflicts deer and other hooved animals, causing dementia-like symptoms and inevitable death. The disease, which spreads via bodily fluids such as saliva, blood, and feces, has recently been detected in feral pigs, heightening fears of a zoonotic leap to humans.
A Pandemic in the Making?
The prospect of prion diseases affecting humans has long been a subject of scientific apprehension. A new report, funded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and reviewed by infectious disease experts, underscores the potential for CWD to evolve into a human health crisis. Dr. Michael Osterholm, a renowned epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota, warned, “If feral pigs can contract it, domestic swine may also be at risk. This could devastate the livestock industry, including both the swine and cattle markets.”
Cooking infected meat does not neutralize prions, adding to the urgency. Hunters, in particular, are advised to exercise caution, as the disease could spread when handling or consuming contaminated deer. The symptoms in animals—ranging from drooling and unsteadiness to aggression and severe weight loss—may not manifest for up to a year after infection, making early detection challenging.
What Is Chronic Wasting Disease?
CWD belongs to the family of prion diseases, which occur when proteins in the body misfold, leading to devastating neurological degeneration. Infected animals exhibit progressive weight loss, impaired coordination, and behavioral changes, culminating in death. Other prion diseases include bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or “mad cow disease,” in cattle and scrapie in sheep and goats.
Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment for CWD, and its highly infectious nature makes containment difficult. Experts fear the emergence of new strains capable of infecting humans, given similarities to past outbreaks like the BSE crisis in the UK.
Growing Concerns: Could It Infect Humans?
The discussion around CWD’s potential human impact intensified in 2024 when cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), another prion-based illness, surfaced in the United States. Though the CDC confirmed no direct link between CWD and these cases, researchers remain vigilant. Misfolded prions in CWD are suspected of disrupting brain cell communication, mimicking the catastrophic effects observed in CJD.
Dr. Cory Anderson, co-director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, highlighted parallels to the BSE outbreak, stating, “While no one can predict if CWD will spill over into humans, we must remain prepared for such a scenario. History has shown how rapidly things can spiral when zoonotic diseases emerge.”
A Call for Vigilance
As CWD continues its rapid spread, now documented in at least 33 states including parts of Pennsylvania, public health experts are urging proactive measures. Awareness campaigns, testing of wildlife, and stringent monitoring of meat sources are critical steps to mitigate potential risks.
While human infection has not yet occurred, the combination of the disease’s high transmissibility, lack of treatment, and severe neurological impacts paints a sobering picture of what could happen if the prion disease breaches the species barrier. Preparing for this possibility is not alarmist—it’s essential.
