• Scientists have warned in a report that Chronic Wasting Disease, popularly known as “zombie deer disease”, could evolve to affect humans. 

• According to a news report in DailyMail, the disease has now been found in wild pigs that eat infected meat, with researchers warning it may spread to domestic pigs, and then humans.

What is Chronic Wasting Disease?

• Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a prion disease that affects deer, elk, moose and similar animals. It has been reported in the United States, Canada, Norway, Finland, Sweden and South Korea.

• Unlike most infectious diseases, CWD isn’t caused by bacteria or a virus, but rather by misfolded natural proteins called prions.

• Prions are proteins that are normally found in the body. 

• All mammals produce normal prions that are used by cells, then degraded and eliminated, or recycled, within the body. When disease-associated prions contact normal prions, they cause them to refold into their own abnormal shape. 

• These disease-associated prions are not readily broken down and tend to accumulate in, and damage, lymphatic and neural tissues, including the brain.

• CWD has an extended incubation period averaging 18–24 months between infection and the onset of noticeable signs.

• The most obvious sign of CWD is progressive weight loss. Numerous behavioural changes also have 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.

• CWD is contagious. No treatments or vaccines are currently available.

• Scientists believe CWD proteins (prions) spread between animals through body fluids like feces, saliva, blood, or urine. This can occur either through direct contact or indirectly through contamination of soil, food or water.

• No CWD infections in people have ever been reported. However, CWD is related to another prion disease in animals that does infect people. So, it is considered a theoretical risk to people.

• Some studies in monkeys suggest they can get CWD by eating meat or brain tissues of infected deer or elk. These studies raise concerns CWD may also pose a risk to people.

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