“Zombie Deer Disease” Strikes Virginia, Where Two White-Tailed Deers Test Positive, Hitting Another US State

A recent test revealed that two white-tailed deer in West Virginia’s Harpers Ferry National Historical Park have chronic wasting disease (CWD), a deadly neurological condition that affects deer and related animals. According to the National Park Service (NPS), this is the first time that a CWD-positive detection has been made for a West Virginia national park.

The two deer that tested positive were put down as part of a regular population control operation on Park Service land, according to a news statement from the NPS. Recently, CWD-affected deer have also been discovered at the neighboring Antietam and Monocacy battlefield sites, both located on the Maryland side of the Potomac River.

According to the NPS, in order to maintain historic landscapes and protect and restore native vegetation, deer numbers are reduced in Harpers Ferry and other national parks.

In some parks, the Park Service occasionally goes on hunts to manage the deer population. According to the news announcement, “all results for these parks had been negative (for CWD) until this year.”

Zombie Deer Disease: What Is It?
Animals suffering from chronic wasting sickness, sometimes referred to as “zombie deer disease,” become disoriented and drool excessively. It was discovered for the first time in November of last year at Yellowstone National Park.

Misfolded proteins, or prions, are what cause the illness when proteins do not fold into the proper form. Following infection, prions move throughout the central nervous system, depositing themselves in the tissues and organs of the brain. The condition is known as “zombie deer disease” because it causes the afflicted deer to slobber, stumble, become sluggish, and gaze blankly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that it might take the deer more than a year to exhibit symptoms. Usually, it begins with the deer losing all energy, staggering about, and dramatically dropping weight. There is currently no vaccination or treatment for CWD.

Fox News claims that there has never been a documented instance of CWD in humans. Nonetheless, some research indicates that monkeys that consume contaminated animal flesh or come into contact with contaminated animal brains or body fluids may be at risk for developing a chronic wasting illness.

CWD is a “slow-moving disaster,” according to experts, and they strongly advise governments to be ready in case it spreads to people.