Chronic wasting disease is currently known to infect only members of the cervid family, such as elk, deer, reindeer, caribou and moose. Scientists are increasing research on CWD and say we are ill-prepared should a mutation allow a spillover into other species. CWD is a neurological disease caused by misfolded proteins called prions. Prions behave very differently than viruses and bacteria, are virtually impossible to eradicate and are extremely persistent in the environment.
Recent research shows that the barrier to a spillover into humans is less formidable than previously believed and that the prions causing the disease may be evolving to become more able to infect humans.”
Source: Scientific American, February 1, 2024. Link. A team of experts is planning for a potential outbreak, focusing on public health surveillance, lab capacity, prion disease diagnostics, surveillance of livestock and wildlife, risk communication, and education and outreach.
INSIGHTS: Mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are other prion diseases known to have affected humans. Some experts believe that Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s also may be caused by prions.