Dr Michael Osterholm, based at the University of Minnesota in the US, has issued a warning to foodies following a new bombshell report into zombie deer disease
Foodies have been issued a ‘zombie disease’ warning after experts stressed that humans could become infected from eating meat in the future.
A new report, funded by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, revealed that “zombie deer disease” could soon spill over to humans. According to the alert, the deadly illness, also known as chronic wasting disease (CWD), has also been detected in wild pigs that eat infected meat.
Now, researchers are warning that the disease could soon spread to domestic pigs – meaning it is only a matter of time before it spreads to people. The side effects include severe weight loss, behavioural changes and excessive thirst and urination. The disease can also stop animals from being afraid of humans.
Dr Michael Osterholm, an infectious diseases researcher at the University of Minnesota, stressed: “We have some limited data now suggesting that feral pigs might be infected. If they can get infected, surely it’s possible domestic swine could also become infected? What would that do to the swine market? What would that do to the cattle market? These are huge issues.”
So far, the disease has been detected in at least 33 states across the US, including: Wyoming, Wisconsin, Colorado and areas of Pennsylvania. Specialists in the report also warned than the disease could spread to humans through infected deer that are trapped by hunters, reports Mail Online. Both pork and venison are usually cooked ahead of consumption. However, experts stressed this would not stop a person from becoming infected, because heating up the food just concentrates the toxic conformations ( misfolded proteins ) behind the illness.
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure to treat the disease. CWD can be contracted via the faeces, blood or the saliva of an infected animal. Dr Osterholm also told local reporters: “We know that people are being exposed [to CWD] through consumption [of meat] with prions. What we don’t understand yet is what would it take for that prion to actually infect that human with ingestion.”
According to the Center for Disease and Control Prevention, it could take years for the symptoms to show up in animals. The website states: “Scientists think CWD spreads between animals through contact with saliva, blood, urine or feces of an animal with CWD. They suspect it can also spread indirectly through the environment, such as in soil, drinking water or food. Once an animal gets sick, the disease moves to its brain and spine and eventually kills the animal. CWD does not appear to naturally infect cows, other livestock or pets.”
Full list of symptoms
- Rapid weight loss (called wasting)
- Lack of coordination
- Drooling
- Appearing ‘out of it’
- Excessive thirst or peeing
- Drooping ears
- Lack of fear of people