The term "zombie deer disease" is occasionally used to describe chronic wasting disease, or the disease's neurological symptoms—such as weight loss, lack of coordination, listlessness, and drooling—can lead to the label being applied to affected deer.

Unofficially dubbed "zombie" deer sickness, this contagious illness is raising alarm across the country since, according to specialists, it may impact people.



The Centres for illness Control and Prevention state that moose, elk, and deer that are free-ranging are the primary victims of the illness.

Scientists have warned that the illness is a "slow moving disaster" for people even though no infections have been reported in humans.


Where "zombie deer disease" has been documented to date is as follows:


Reports of both domestic and foreign cases of chronic wasting sickness


The Centres for illness Control and Prevention (CDC) report that at least 31 states in the United States have reported cases of chronic wasting illness in animal populations.

When authorities from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife revealed earlier this month that the illness was found in a 2-year-old white-tailed deer that a hunter had killed in November, Kentucky officially verified a case of CWD.

Three Canadian provinces have also reported cases of CWD.

A few imported cases have been reported in South Korea, and chronic wasting illness has been documented in moose and reindeer in Norway, Finland, and Sweden outside of North America.


How is the illness transmitted?


The illness may take more than a year to fully develop, and symptoms may appear gradually.

According to the CDC, scientists think the illness is transmitted by coming into touch with infected bodily fluids and tissue or by contaminating food and drinking water.

The U.S. Geological Survey claims that CWD was initially identified in Colorado in 1967 and has subsequently spread to several other states and nations. Although there have been no reports of infections in people, research indicates that humans are more susceptible to contracting the disease from animals than previously believed.

Does the zombie deer sickness infect people?


Despite the fact that no human infections have occurred, several experts are warning governments to get ready in case CWD spreads.

The Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy's (CIDRAP) programme co-director, Dr. Cory Anderson, told The Guardian that the British epidemic of mad cow disease served as an illustration of how quickly things may spiral out of control when a spillover event from, say, animals to humans occurs.

According to Anderson, it's critical to be ready in case the illness does spread to people. We're discussing the possibility that something akin to this may happen. Although nobody is claiming that it won't happen, it's crucial that people are ready," he continued.