Cases of deer infected with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) have recently been reported in Yellowstone National Park, raising concerns about the potential for the disease to spread to humans. The disease, which attacks the brain and nervous system, has been detected in over 30 US states, as well as in Canada, South Korea, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. CWD is caused by prions, misfolded proteins that cause the brain to fold abnormally. The disease can take over a year to develop symptoms, and there is currently no effective treatment or vaccine for it.
The recent deaths of two hunters from a similar brain condition have raised concerns that CWD may be spreading from animals to humans. One of the victims, a 72-year-old man, suffered “rapid-onset confusion and aggression,” as well as seizures. He died within a month despite treatment. After his death, he was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a brain-wasting condition that is responsible for mad cow disease. His friend also died from the disease, but experts have not explained much about his condition.
Scientists believe that the hunters may have contracted CWD from eating deer meat, but they have not confirmed whether the deer they ate were infected with the disease. The researchers emphasize the need for further investigation into the potential risks of consuming CWD-infected deer and its implications for public health.
While CWD has not been proven to spread to humans, other prion diseases, such as mad cow disease, have been known to do so. Mad cow disease, which is caused by a different type of prion, can be transmitted to humans through contaminated meat. Most people who have the disease die within a year of diagnosis.
