Zombie Deer Disease, Causes, Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment

Q: Which group of animals is primarily affected by Zombie Deer Disease?

It primarily affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.

Q: What causes Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?

It is caused by infectious proteins called prions.

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Zombie Deer Disease Latest News

Health officials in Florida recently have confirmed cases of Chronic Wasting Disease, commonly known as “Zombie Deer Disease.”

About Zombie Deer Disease

Known scientifically as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), it is a progressive and fatal neurological disease which primarily affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
It affects the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord).
What causes CWD?
- CWD is caused by infectious proteins called prions.
- Prions are unique in that they don’t contain DNA or RNA, unlike bacteria or viruses.
- Instead, they are misfolded proteins that cause other proteins in the brain to likewise misfold, ultimately leading to brain damage.
- Once these proteins accumulate in the brain, they create spongy holes in the tissue, resulting in severe neurological dysfunction.
Transmission:
- CWD prions are highly contagious and spread through body fluids such as saliva, feces, blood, or urine, either by direct contact or environmental contamination.
- Once present in an area, prions remain infectious in soil, water, and plants for years, posing long-term risks to animal populations.
Symptoms:
- It has an extended incubation period averaging 18–24 months between infection and the onset of noticeable signs. During this time frame, animals look and act normal.
- The most obvious sign of CWD is progressive weight loss.
- Numerous behavioral changes have also been reported, including decreased social interaction, loss of awareness, and loss of fear of humans.
- Diseased animals also may exhibit increased drinking, urination, and excessive salivation.
- In the final stages of disease, animals become debilitated and ultimately die.
- How fast CWD progresses depends on the species and the animal’s genetics.
Treatment: It is always fatal in infected animals. There is no vaccine or treatment.
Can Humans Get CWD?
- So far, there has been no confirmed case of CWD transmission to humans. However, experts remain cautious.