Chronic Wasting Disease: A Growing Threat to Wildlife and Human Health
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a contagious and always-fatal neurodegenerative disorder that infects the cervid family, including deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. First identified in the wild in Colorado and Wyoming in 1981, CWD has since spread to 36 US states, parts of Canada, Scandinavia, and South Korea. Despite its alarming spread, there is currently no vaccine or treatment for this disease.
The Spread of CWD
Over the decades, CWD has quietly infiltrated wild and domestic game animal herds, becoming a “slow-motion disaster in the making.” The disease is often referred to in the media as “zombie deer disease” due to its symptoms, which include drooling, emaciation, disorientation, and a lack of fear of people. However, this moniker has irritated many scientists who believe it trivializes the seriousness of the issue.
Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, has been a vocal advocate for addressing the potential spillover of CWD to humans. In a 2018 report, a panel of 67 experts concluded that a spillover event would trigger a national and global crisis, with far-reaching effects on the food supply, economy, global trade, agriculture, and human health. The report also highlighted the lack of preparedness in the US and the absence of a unifying international strategy to prevent the spread of CWD.
The Risk to Human Health
While there has not been a documented case of a human contracting CWD, the long incubation times of similar diseases like BSE (mad cow disease) raise concerns. Better surveillance to identify disease in people and game animals is more urgent than ever, experts say. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people who suspect they have killed an animal infected with CWD not to eat it, and states advise any hunters taking animals from infected regions to get them tested. However, many hunters do not follow these guidelines.
In a survey of US residents by the CDC, 20% said they had hunted deer or elk, and more than 60% said they had eaten venison or elk meat. This widespread consumption of game meat raises concerns about the potential for CWD to spill over into the human population. The movement of meat around the country also raises concerns of environmental contamination, as prions—the abnormal, transmissible pathogenic agents that cause CWD—can remain activated in soils for many years, infecting animals that come in contact with contaminated areas.
The Impact on Wildlife and Conservation
CWD is not only a threat to human health but also an existential threat to wild cervid populations. The disease has been detected in the National Elk Refuge in Yellowstone National Park, where thousands of elk gather. Conservationists like Lloyd Dorsey have been pressing for the shutdown of feedgrounds where cervids gather and disease can easily spread. However, Wyoming has refused to shutter nearly two dozen feedgrounds, despite warnings from scientists and disease experts.
Tom Roffe, former chief of animal health for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, has criticized Wyoming’s policies, stating that the state has created ripe conditions for an outbreak of the disease. Roffe and others advocate for healthy landscapes where unnatural feeding of wildlife is unnecessary and where predators are allowed to carry out their role of eliminating sick animals.
The Future of CWD
As CWD continues to spread, the risk of a spillover event to humans grows. The lack of preparedness in the US and the absence of a unifying international strategy to prevent the spread of CWD raise concerns about the potential for a national and global crisis. Conservationists and scientists alike are calling for better surveillance, stricter regulations, and a greater focus on wildlife conservation to prevent the spread of this deadly disease.
Pro Tips for Hunters
If you are a hunter, here are some pro tips to keep in mind:
- Always follow CDC guidelines for handling and testing game meat.
- Be aware of the symptoms of CWD and avoid consuming meat from animals that exhibit these symptoms.
- Support conservation efforts and advocate for stricter regulations to prevent the spread of CWD.
FAQ Section
Q: What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?
A: CWD is a contagious and always-fatal neurodegenerative disorder that infects the cervid family, including deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Q: How is CWD spread?
A: CWD is spread through prions, which are abnormal, transmissible pathogenic agents that can remain activated in soils for many years.
Q: Is there a vaccine or treatment for CWD?
A: Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment for CWD.
Q: What are the symptoms of CWD?
A: Symptoms of CWD include drooling, emaciation, disorientation, a vacant “staring” gaze, and a lack of fear of people.
Q: What can hunters do to prevent the spread of CWD?
A: Hunters can follow CDC guidelines for handling and testing game meat, be aware of the symptoms of CWD, and support conservation efforts to prevent the spread of the disease.
Did You Know?
CWD has been detected in the National Elk Refuge in Yellowstone National Park, where thousands of elk gather. This raises concerns about the potential for the disease to spread to other areas and infect more animals.
Table: CWD Hotspots in the US
| State | First Detected | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 1981 | Widespread |
| Wyoming | 1981 | Widespread |
| Illinois | 2002 | Widespread |
| Texas | 2012 | Widespread |
| Minnesota | 2016 | Widespread |
Call to Action
Stay informed about the latest developments in wildlife conservation and public health. Share this article with your friends and family, and join the conversation by leaving a comment below. Together, we can raise awareness about the threat of CWD and work towards a solution.
