Zombie deer disease can pose risk for humans, warn experts: All about it

Zombie deer disease is spreading among wildlife. Transmission increases across North America, Scandinavia, and South Korea, and scientists have warned that this disease, which until now is infecting wildlife only, can infect humans as well. This cross-transmission of the zombie deer disease might trigger an outbreak, scientists have warned.

What is zombie deer disease? It is a chronic wasting disease that affects deer, elk, reindeer, sika deer, and moose. It can affect animals of all ages and "it may take over a year before an infected animal develops symptoms, which can include drastic weight loss (wasting), stumbling, listlessness and other neurologic symptoms," the US CDC says.

There are no treatments or vaccines for the disease.

It spreads between animals through body fluids like feces, saliva, blood, or urine, either through direct contact or indirectly through environmental contamination of soil, food or water. It can spread quickly between deer populations.

Why is it called zombie deer disease?

Zombie deer disease is a fatal neurological illness affecting deer, elk, moose, and related species. It's caused by abnormal proteins called prions, which damage brain and nerve tissues. Symptoms include emaciation, disorientation, lethargy, and abnormal behavior, earning it the nickname "zombie" due to affected animals exhibiting staggering gaits and vacant expressions. CWD spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated environments, posing a risk to wild populations and potentially to humans through consumption of infected meat. Monitoring and management efforts aim to prevent its spread and mitigate ecological and public health concerns.

Can other animals get infected?

The US CDC has cited experimental outcomes that have found that they infect squirrel monkeys, and also laboratory mice that carry some human genes.


In 2017, a study showed that this disease was transmitted to monkeys that were fed infected meat (muscle tissue) or brain tissue from infected deer and elk.

How to stay safe?

• Avoid direct contact with sick or dead animals, and wear gloves when handling carcasses.
• Refrain from consuming meat from animals known to be infected with CWD.
• Dispose of animal remains properly, avoiding areas frequented by wildlife.
• Adhere to regulations regarding hunting, transportation, and processing of deer, elk, and related species.
• Stay informed about CWD prevalence in your region and follow recommendations from wildlife agencies.
• Support research and monitoring efforts to better understand and control the disease.
• Report any suspected cases of CWD to local wildlife authorities promptly.
• Stay educated on developments and updates regarding CWD prevention and management.