Zombie Deer Disease: Scientists Worry It Could Spread to Humans
Jan 23, 2018
Colorado deer have been found afflicted with “Zombie Deer Disease.” The disease eats away at the brain and nervous system, effectively killing the animals very slowly. The speculation is that burning the bodies is the only way to keep the disease from spreading and affecting more deer. Now, scientists are worried the disease may spread to human beings.
Zombie Deer Disease. In Fort Collins, Colorado “zombie deer disease” was first observed and documented. The disease is also known as chronic wasting disease or CWD.
Prions. CWD is passed between animals through misfolded proteins which leads to the disease spreading similarly to a virus. The prions are misfolded and cause other proteins to fold around them.
NPR Reports. According to an NPR report, “CWD passes from animal to animal through prions, misfolded proteins that cause other proteins to misfold around them. Different prion diseases tend to only harm certain species, but can evolve to overcome those limitations.”
