Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is also known as “Zombie Disease” due to the nature of its infected bovine victims looking like zombies once infected. CWD is a food-borne illness and a protein disease that can be found in cattle, deer, elk and moose. It’s an infection of the brain that has no known cure and is fatal for animals.
To date, there haven’t been any reported cases of this in Washington – in animals or humans; however, 31 states have identified cases of CWD – more often than not in free-ranging populations.
A major concern about CWD is that when the environment becomes contaminated and festers within that habitat, it can be spread to other wildlife and endanger people.
Even though CWD sounds like something straight out of a horror novel, it’s actually not a huge concern. The only reason someone would consider CWD as an issue is if an individual likes to hunt and gather their meat, where there is a possibility that said animal could have CWD.
CWD can spread if an infected animal is eaten. Hunters should be aware of the distribution of CWD so that they can guard against the disease. Once the disease is established, it is challenging to eradicate.
Out of ten food-borne illnesses that concern food specialists, CWD would probably be at the bottom. According to Hollianne Bruce, lead epidemiologist from the Snohomish County Health Department, bacteria like E.coli, Salmonella, Norovirus, and other bacterial enteric illnesses are the most concerning on the food safety radar. As with any food-borne illness, proper food handling and safety measures should be taken, which are already in place.
CWD may sound like a concerning and scary health issue but by raising awareness and taking proactive measures, people can preserve the health and sustainability of wildlife populations. Stay informed and stay involved in efforts to combat chronic wasting disease.
