“Zombie deer” is a disease that damages the brain and threatens humans

2024-01-13 2024-01-13T10:18:53Z

ArabiaWeather - The discovery of the first case of chronic wasting disease, also known as "zombie deer" , in the United States sparked a wave of panic and anxiety among scientists, with growing fears of the disease being transmitted to humans. This horrific case was recorded in Yellowstone National Park last month, This raised fears that the deadly brain disease could be transmitted to humans in the future, according to statements by some scientists.

The results of tests on a deer carcass in the park showed positive presence of the disease, and this disease is highly contagious, with weight loss, stumbling, and lethargy recorded, in addition to the appearance of neurological symptoms, according to the Center for Disease Control, and concern is growing about the transmission of this deadly disease to humans, and some indicate Experts call for the need to take strict precautionary measures to prevent its possible spread in human society.

The phenomenon of zombie deer disease... Are we facing a health challenge that may threaten humanity?

It may take up to a year for symptoms of "zombie deer disease " to appear, and the disease is characterized by its negative impact on the brains and nervous systems of those infected, causing symptoms such as lethargy, emaciated, stumbling, and animals to appear like a "blank stare," according to a report by The Guardian. .

Despite the passage of time, no effective treatments or vaccines have been found for this disease, making it a health challenge that requires continuous research and innovation in the field of medicine.

Scientists are raising the alarm about the danger of this disease being transmitted to humans, despite the fact that no known cases have been recorded so far. In this context, epidemiologists have indicated that the absence of currently recorded cases does not necessarily mean that they will not occur in the future, which makes vigilance and preventive preparedness necessary.

Zombie deer disease is part of a group of fatal neurological disorders, which also includes bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease .

Mad cow disease as a warning example... fears of an outbreak of this type of disease

In a different context, Dr. Corey Anderson pointed to “the spread of mad cow disease in Britain as an example of things suddenly escalating, as things can take a crazy turn in a short time when there is transmission from cattle to humans, for example.”

Dr. Anderson also expressed his concern that there is no known way to get rid of this disease in an effective and easy way, as he said:

“It cannot be eliminated easily, either through infected animals or the environment it pollutes,” he told The Guardian.

Anderson explained that once the infection spreads in the environment, it becomes very difficult to overcome the pathogens that cause the disease.

Challenges of eliminating zombie deer disease

The pathogen can remain active for up to years in contaminants, or on surfaces, and scientists report that it remains resistant to disinfectants, formaldehyde, radiation, and even burning at temperatures of up to 1,100 F , according to a report published by The Guardian.

The CDC indicates on its website that some studies conducted on animals indicate that the disease poses a threat to certain types of animals, such as monkeys, that eat meat from animals infected with the disease, or come into contact with brain or body fluids from infected deer or elk. .