Nothing comparable to the mutant pig found in the Var in November 2023. The “zombie deer” disease, a growing threat which worries scientists, could represent a risk of transmission to humans. This pathology, comparable to the dreaded mad cow disease, severely impacts the behavior of deer, reports The ParisianWednesday December 27, 2023. Among the symptoms observed are coordination disorders, excessive secretion of saliva, attacks of aggression, as well as a worrying opacity in the eyes. Unfortunately, “zombie deer” disease turns out to be fatal in 100% casesraising concerns about its possible transmission to humans. Doctor Cory Anderson, specialist in Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), assures, in fact, in the columns of the newspaper The Guardian that the population must prepare for a possible transmission of this pathology to humans, although he qualifies by emphasizing that there is no guarantee that this will happen.
A resistant virus
Lack of treatment to cure this disease adds to scientists’ fears. Furthermore, this virus turns out to be particularly resistant even at extreme temperatures of up to 600°C. The United States is currently experiencing a surge in cases, particularly in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming). Recently, 800 samples of this disease were detected, highlighting the need for increased vigilance. Across the Atlantic, the disease has also been reported in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and even in Asia, more precisely in South Korea. During this hunting season in the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention urges hunters to test the game before consumption, in order to minimize any risk of spread. This preventive measure is of crucial importance in the fight against the spread potential for “zombie deer” disease but also other diseases. “Wolves could help stop the phenomenon by eliminating infected animals”said Darlene Kobobel, founder of the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, cited by AFP.