Zombie Deer Disease Detected in Yellowstone National Park, Sparks Global Concerns
The “zombie deer” disease, scientifically termed Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), has been confirmed in Yellowstone National Park, triggering heightened global concerns. The park, spanning Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, is now on alert as authorities grapple with the unprecedented implications.
Reports surfaced of a CWD-infected deer in Yellowstone, known colloquially as “zombie deer disease” for its impact on the central nervous system, resembling symptoms of mad cow disease.
Yellowstone, the world’s inaugural national park and a symbol of America’s natural heritage, is at the forefront of efforts to contain and understand the ramifications of this alarming development.
CWD has spread to 23 U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and globally, including South Korea, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Despite reassurances from the U.S. National Park Service and the Korean Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency that there is “no evidence that CWD can infect humans or other livestock species,” caution is urged against consuming tissues or meat from infected animals.
Michael Osterholm, a University of Minnesota professor, warned in 2019 of a potential latency period before symptoms appear in humans consuming meat from CWD-infected deer. He anticipates human cases within the next decade.
Unlike traditional pathogens, prions causing CWD persist for years, transmitting through saliva or excrement. Comprehensive campaigns in Canada and the U.S. strongly discourage hunting infected deer and advocate meat consumption only after rigorous testing.
South Korea has faced CWD since 2001, with a resurgence in 2016 and recent cases in 2022 leading to the culling of affected deer.
Global authorities are closely monitoring the situation, urging the public to stay informed and adhere to safety guidelines to prevent the further spread of this concerning disease.
