Scientists have warned that ‘zombie deer disease’ could be transmitted to humans because last year America I have hundreds of animals disease Affected by
In the US state of Wyoming Deerchronic waste disease (CWD) has been found in eight hundred samples of elk (a type of deer) and moose (a type of deer). An animal suffering from this disease oozes resin. Become sluggish, stagger and stare blankly.
However, experts have warned that the disease is a ‘slowly spreading disaster’. He has urged governments to be prepared for the possibility of the disease being transmitted to humans.
Dr Cory Anderson, a CWD researcher, told The Guardian newspaper: ‘The Mad Cow outbreak in the UK is an example of how things can get worse overnight when disease is transmitted from animals to humans.
‘We are talking about the possibility of something similar happening. Nobody is saying it is going to happen for sure but it is important for people to be prepared.’
In the 1980s and 1990s in the UK, 4.4 million cattle were slaughtered after outbreaks of Mad Cow disease. The cause of the disease was that the cows were being fed food that contained virus-infected meat and bones.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
This disease, which is usually fatal to cattle, affects their central nervous system and animals develop symptoms of aggressive behavior and cannot control their movements. Since 1995, 178 people have died from the human variant of the virus.
According to the Alliance for Public Wildlife, in 2017, people were consuming between 7,000 and 15,000 animals infected with CWD each year.
These figures were expected to increase by 20 percent annually. Dr. Anderson said thousands of people in Wisconsin may have eaten infected deer meat.
Once the environment is infected, CWD is extremely difficult to eradicate. The virus of this disease can survive in soil or on different surfaces for many years. Scientists say the disease virus is resistant to disinfectants and can withstand radiation, a gas called formaldehyde, burned at temperatures of 600 degrees Celsius (1100 Fahrenheit).
American biotechnology company JunkGo Bioworks has warned that diseases transmitted from animals to humans could kill 12 times more people in 2050 than in 2020.
The company says that future transmission of animal diseases to humans due to climate change and deforestation will increase the incidence of pandemics.
According to the company’s research, between 1963 and 2019, epidemics increased by about five percent and deaths by nine percent each year.
“If this annual increase continues, we expect a four-fold increase in human transmission in 2050 and a 12-fold increase in deaths compared to 2020 for the pathogens analyzed,” the company warned. will.’
For authentic news and current affairs analysis, join Independent Urdu’s WhatsApp channel here. click do
!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)
{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?
n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};
if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version=’2.0′;
n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,’script’,
‘https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js’);
fbq(‘init’, ‘2494823637234887’);
fbq(‘track’, ‘PageView’);
#Deer #zombie #disease #transmitted #humans #warning
2024-09-09 17:32:07
Table of Contents
The Looming Threat of “Zombie Deer Disease”: What You Need to Know
In recent years, a mysterious and deadly disease has been spreading rapidly among deer populations in the United States, earning it the ominous nickname “zombie deer disease.” Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), as it’s officially known, is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system of infected animals, causing them to exhibit bizarre and erratic behavior, such as stumbling, staring blankly, and oozing resin [[3]]. But what’s even more alarming is the possibility that this disease could be transmitted to humans, sparking fears of a potential pandemic.
The Risk of Human Transmission
Scientists warn that CWD is a “slowly spreading disaster” that could have devastating consequences if it jumps from animals to humans [[1]]. Dr. Cory Anderson, a CWD researcher, draws parallels with the Mad Cow outbreak in the UK, which resulted in the slaughter of 4.4 million cattle and the deaths of 178 people from the human variant of the virus [[1]]. While the exact risk of human transmission is still uncertain, experts urge governments to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Visual Signs of Chronic Wasting Disease
Infected animals typically exhibit progressive weight loss, along with behavioral changes such as decreased social interaction and altered migration patterns [[3]]. As the disease progresses, animals may appear sluggish, stumble, and display abnormal behavior, such as staring blankly into space.
The Resilience of CWD
One of the most concerning aspects of CWD is its extreme resilience. The virus can survive in soil or on surfaces for years, resisting disinfectants, radiation, and even temperatures of 600°C (1100°F) [[1]]. This makes it extremely difficult to eradicate the disease from the environment, allowing it to persist and spread uncontrollably.
The Bigger Picture: Pandemics and Climate Change
CWD is just one example of a growing trend of zoonotic diseases – diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. According to American biotechnology company JunkGo Bioworks, diseases transmitted from animals to humans could kill 12 times more people in 2050 than in 2020, driven in part by climate change and deforestation [[1]]. As the world grapples with the consequences of a rapidly changing environment, the threat of pandemics looms large.
What Can Be Done?
While the situation may seem dire, there are steps that can be taken to mitigate the risk of CWD transmission to humans. Governments, wildlife authorities, and the general public must work together to monitor deer populations, implement strict slaughter and disposal protocols, and raise awareness about the risks of consuming infected meat.
“zombie deer disease” is a ticking time bomb that demands immediate attention and action. As scientists continue to study the disease and its potential risks to humans, it’s essential that we take proactive steps to prevent a potential pandemic. By staying informed, taking precautions, and working together, we can reduce the risk of CWD transmission and protect both human and animal lives.
References:
Chronic wasting disease 2024
The Alarming Threat of Chronic Wasting Disease: Could it be Transmitted to Humans?
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal illness affecting deer, elk, and moose, has been found in hundreds of animals in the US state of Wyoming, sparking concerns about the potential transmission of the disease to humans. Experts have warned that CWD could become a “slowly spreading disaster” if not addressed promptly.
CWD is a type of prion disease, which occurs when proteins in the body misfold, causing symptoms that eventually result in death[[[2]]. The disease affects the central nervous system of cervids, including white-tailed deer, elk, and moose, causing them to exhibit abnormal behavior, such as oozing resin, becoming sluggish, and staring blankly [[1]].
The concern about CWD transmission to humans is not unfounded. In the 1980s and 1990s, the UK experienced a Mad Cow disease outbreak, which was caused by feeding cows infected meat and bones. This led to the slaughter of 4.4 million cattle, and since 1995, 178 people have died from the human variant of the virus.
Dr. Cory Anderson, a CWD researcher, draws a parallel between the two diseases, stating that “the Mad Cow outbreak in the UK is an example of how things can get worse overnight when disease is transmitted from animals to humans” [[3]]. While no one is saying that transmission to humans is inevitable, experts urge governments to be prepared for the possibility.
The risk of transmission is heightened by the fact that CWD-infected animals can be consumed by humans without showing any symptoms. According to the Alliance for Public Wildlife, between 7,000 and 15,000 animals infected with CWD were consumed each year in 2017, with numbers expected to increase by 20% annually. Dr. Anderson estimates that thousands of people in Wisconsin may have eaten infected deer meat.
The eradication of CWD is complicated by the fact that the virus can survive in soil or on different surfaces for many years, resisting disinfectants and withstanding radiation, formaldehyde, and high temperatures [[3]]. This makes it essential to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
The American biotechnology company JunkGo Bioworks warns that diseases transmitted from animals to humans could kill 12 times more people in 2050 than in 2020, citing climate change and deforestation as contributing factors to the increase in pandemics.
As the threat of CWD transmission to humans looms, it is crucial for governments, scientists, and the public to take immediate action to prevent the spread of the disease. This includes increasing awareness about CWD, implementing measures to prevent the spread of infected animals, and investing in research to develop effective treatments and vaccines.
Ultimately, the consequences of inaction could be devastating. As Dr. Anderson notes, “nobody is saying it is going to happen for sure, but it is important for people to be prepared.” By taking proactive steps to address the CWD threat, we can mitigate the risk of transmission to humans and protect public health.
References:
[1] Tennessee State Wildlife Agency. (n.d.). Chronic Wasting Disease.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Chronic Wasting Disease in Animals.
[3] Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. (n.d.). Chronic Wasting Disease.
