Title: “Scientists Warn of Potential ‘Zombie Deer Disease’ Outbreak in US”
In a concerning development, scientists are cautioning about the possible outbreak of a disease known as chronic wasting disease (CWD), commonly dubbed “zombie deer disease,” in the United States. This alarming disease, which affects deer, elk, and moose, has already been detected in 800 samples across Wyoming, raising fears of a wider spread.
CWD is characterized by a range of symptoms, including drooling, lethargy, stumbling, and a vacant stare in infected animals. Experts are calling this disease a “slow-moving disaster” and urging governments to stay vigilant and make necessary preparations for the potential transmission of CWD to humans.
The outbreak of mad cow disease in the United Kingdom serves as a chilling precedent, demonstrating how animal diseases can jump to humans. With millions of cattle being culled due to mad cow disease, which eventually infected humans and led to fatalities, the urgency to monitor and control diseases like CWD becomes even more critical.
It is estimated that between 7,000 and 15,000 CWD-infected animals were consumed by humans annually in 2017. This statistic highlights the potential risk of exposure to the disease for humans who consume contaminated meat.
Compounding the issue, eradicating CWD is proving to be an arduous task, as the disease can persist in the environment for several years. This resilience further underlines the necessity for proactive measures to prevent the spread of CWD to humans.
Highlighting the broader implications of zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans), US biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks has cautioned that climate change and deforestation could worsen the situation, leading to increased fatalities. Ginkgo Bioworks has conducted research indicating that by 2050, these diseases could contribute to four times the number of spillover events and twelve times the number of deaths compared to 2020.
The scientific community and governments worldwide are now urged to prioritize research, surveillance, and public awareness regarding CWD and other zoonotic diseases to minimize their potential impact on human health. Only through timely and comprehensive efforts can we hope to prevent the outbreak of another devastating disease with potentially fatal consequences.
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