Terrifying zombie deer disease 'may have jumped to humans' as US government scientists issue warning
Terrifying zombie deer disease 'may have jumped to humans' as US government scientists issue warning
Share:
A 'zombie deer' disease that is fatal to every animal it infects could soon spill over into humans — if it hasn't already, according to an alarming new report. Experts have been warning for years that the nearly 100 percent fatal chronic wasting disease (CWD) —which leaves deer confused, drooling, and unafraid of humans — could jump from animals to people.
![[The above map shows all the counties where CWD has been detected in deer up to August 2024]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/20/94050727-14280007-image-a-40_1736801732233.jpg)
The disease has now been found in wild pigs that eat infected meat, with researchers warning it is steps away from spreading to domestic pigs — and then humans. Dr Michael Osterholm, a top infectious diseases researcher at the University of Minnesota, warned: 'We have some limited data now suggesting that feral pigs might be infected.
'If they can get infected, surely it's possible domestic swine could also become infected? What would that do to the swine market? What would that do to the cattle market? These are huge issues.'. In the report funded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, experts also warn the disease could spread to humans via infected deer that are caught by hunters.
Both pork and venison are normally cooked before consumption, but researchers say this would not stop someone from catching CWD — because cooking only concentrates the misfolded proteins behind the disease. CWD is incurable, with no vaccines or treatments available for humans. Someone can catch the disease just via contact with the saliva, feces or blood of an infected animal.
-0-15-screenshot-xl.jpg)
