The first step to surviving a zombie apocalypse is being informed of it. 

Just kidding, there isn’t a zombie apocalypse… yet. Though there is an outbreak that opposes a threat to our ecosystem, deer, and maybe even our health.

CWD (chronic wasting disease) has been spreading quietly through deer populations across the country. This disease is caused by misfolded proteins and causes weight loss, stumbling, drooling, and altered behavior in deer that deeply resembles the behavior of a “zombie”; hence the name “zombie deer disease”. 

Why this piece of information is crucial to the public is because of the fact that it can affect humans through the consumption of contaminated meat. This disease also has growing ecological consequences and may oppose a serious threat to the food chain.  CWD can deeply affect economies and food chains so it’s best that we not only protect ourselves but protect wildlife and their homes too. Deer Disease was first identified in Colorado all the way back in the 1960’s. The disease has proven itself to be highly contagious and persistent in living in the environment for years. Though the disease has been around for a long time, this doesn’t mean that it is too late to come together and put an end to it.

Good news for us, there is no evidence of CWD transmission to humans, so you can hit pause on The Walking Dead on Netflix right about now.

However, preventative measures should still be taken. This includes surveillance and monitoring of wildlife, their populations, and keeping track of infected animals, and enforcing strict rules on the transportation and consumption of meat, more specifically deer, elk, and moose meat.

All in all, stay safe and stay human by helping to put an end to this disease affecting our wildlife by at least being informed and aware of zombie deer disease.