Posted on 02/14/2019 4:16:06 PM PST by SJackson
A deadly disease that has affected the deer population in an estimated 24 states and two Canadian provinces could eventually spread to and infect humans, experts warn.
Speaking at the Minnesota State Capitol last week, experts from the University of Minnesota told lawmakers of the dangers of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), or what the U.S. Geological Survey describes as a “ fatal, neurological illness occurring in North American cervids (members of the deer family), including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose.”
MINNESOTA WILDLIFE OFFICIALS SHOOT MULE DEER EXHIBITING ‘STRANGE BEHAVIOR’
Currently, there are no vaccines or treatments available for the disease, which scientists say spreads directly through animal-to-animal contact but also indirectly through contaminated drinking water or food.
While there have been no reported cases of CWD in people, Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, told lawmakers that the disease should be treated as a public health issue, claiming human cases of CWD will likely be “documented in the years ahead.”
“It is probable that human cases of CWD associated with the consumption of contaminated meat will be documented in the years ahead. It is possible that number of human cases will be substantial and will not be isolated events,” he said, in part, according to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.
“If Stephen King could write an infectious disease novel, he would write about prions like this,” he added.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Too late. It’s infected millions of people. We know them as Democrats.
Kudus to the author, Madeline Farber. I would have read another article on CWD, but deadly zombie deer disease, that expands the audience by 100 times, maybe 1000. Deadly Zombie Deer Disease, there's a money making video game there.
It is similar to mad cow disease.
It seems that some entrepreneur could offer to test venison for presence of the prions before anyone consumes it.
I don’t know if it’s viral or a germ. Viruses are hard to kill. The population density of the affected animals seems to be a factor. I know Missouri has had issues as well as other states. Fewer hunters and denser populations I believe contribute to the issues. If the equation gets screwed up nature seems to correct the problem. Hunting the populations down would seem to be more humane than letting the deer die off and rot. IMO
If hunters shot affected deer, but left them in the field, I wonder if any predators, like coyotes, would also become infected and act as vectors to spread it even further. That would wreak havoc on the ecology of the whole area.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3727589/posts
"...The term “prions” refers to abnormal, pathogenic agents that are transmissible and are able to induce abnormal folding of specific normal cellular proteins called prion proteins that are found most abundantly in the brain. The functions of these normal prion proteins are still not completely understood. The abnormal folding of the prion proteins leads to brain damage and the characteristic signs and symptoms of the disease. Prion diseases are usually rapidly progressive and always fatal."
Not in WI, the DNR does it for free.
Thanks, I’ll ping that too. I should search ALL the time, the Zombie thing just seemed so silly for something that’s been an issue for a very long time.
Sad it’s such a tough thing to pin down and cure. I have hunted deer for meat and pictures for years. They are an excellent way to spend some time.
OAC is safe.
Funny. I read the headline & knew it would be sourced outta minnesota.
No camels or sheep.
Deer nervous up there
I had friends in college that were chronically wasted. Does that count?
CC
“Grains!”?
I heard about this the other day. I’ll need more info.
Dang! That was my post! LOL!
It’s a prion.
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