Deadly infectious ZOMBIE deer disease is ‘rapidly spreading across the US’ – and experts warn that humans could contract it next
Chronic Wasting Disease is currently affecting deer, elk and moose in 24 states
The infection attacks the brain and spinal chord before resulting in death
Infected creatures also dramatically lose weight and become very aggresive
Michael Osterhold has warned that humans could be the next to be infected
A study shows that it can be spread from animal-to-animal – including primates
By LUKE KENTON
DAILYMAIL.COM
17 February 2019
A deadly and infectious condition know as ‘zombie deer disease’ is said to be spreading rapidly across the US – and humans could be next, an expert has warned.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is currently plaguing deer, elk and moose across 24 states and two Canadian provinces.
The disease attacks the brain, spinal chord and other tissues in the creature, before ultimately resulting in death.
It also causes dramatic weight-loss, loss of coordination and bouts of hyper-aggression.
This week, Michael Osterhold, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, issued a warning on possible effects on humans to state lawmakers.
‘It is probable that human cases of chronic wasting disease associated with consumption with contaminated meat will be documented in the years ahead,’ Osterhold said.
‘It’s possible the number of human cases will be substantial, and will not be isolated events.’
Osterhold likening CWD to Mad Cow Disease which swept through the UK in the 1980s and 1990s, killing over 150 people.
CWD was first spotted in the wild roughly 40 years ago, but has been seen in captive deer as far back as the late 1960s.
There have been no documented cases of humans contracting CWD, but recent research shows that it can be transmitted to other animals – including primates.
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