Chronic Wasting Disease in free-ranging cervids, also known as “zombie deer disease,” rots the brains of deer, elk, and moose, causing them to act lethargic and less afraid of humans before dying, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consequently, the CDC advises people to take precautions when dealing with deer or elk and the meat from those animals in areas where chronic wasting disease is confirmed within the wild herd.
The disease has been detected in at least 24 states in the continental United States, as well as two provinces in Canada. In addition, Chronic Wasting Disease has been reported in reindeer and moose in Norway and Finland, and a small number of imported cases have been reported in South Korea. The disease has also been found in farmed deer and elk.
The disease is most widepsread in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebrasks, Kansas, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania an Arkansas, according to the CDC.
Gabriel Karns, a visiting assistant professor of wildlife ecology and management in the School of Environment and Natural Resources says at this point people outside in areas designated as “chronic wasting disease-free in the wild” should not hesitate to eat venison from wild white-tailed deer
“While more cautious culinary approaches such as not cooking deer bone-in roasts from the neck region with spinal cord intact may eventually become a standard precaution, the fact remains that current evidence does not suggest that chronic wasting disease affects human health,” Karns explained.
Source: Gabriel Karns, visiting assistant professor of wildlife ecology and management in CFAES’ School of Environment and Natural Resources
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