Concern among sportsmen across the United States is growing after researchers from the University of Texas Heath Science Center at San Antonio published a report earlier this month suggesting that two hunters who died from a rare neurological illness may have contracted it by consuming venison from deer infected with chronic wasting disease.
The disease is known to affect animals, but it is not conclusively proven to be transmissible to humans.
The research examines a case of a 72-year-old man who became confused and aggressive soon after eating meat from a deer population infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD).
The man received medication to treat his seizures and agitation, but his condition worsened, and he died a month after first showing symptoms. An autopsy confirmed that he had sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJDMM1), a rare degenerative brain disorder.
The man’s friend and hunting partner, who had eaten venison from the same deer population, also died later from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
The report was presented in early April at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio researchers wrote that the report did not prove the transmission of CWD from deer to humans. However, the incident has sparked concerns about the potential risks associated with consuming deer meat.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. The disease is caused by a misfolded protein known as a prion and can be transmitted through saliva, urine, and feces. The disease is similar to mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. There is currently no cure or vaccine for CWD, and the disease is spreading rapidly across the United States.
The disease has been found in 26 states, including Texas, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that it is likely to continue to spread. The disease is particularly common in deer populations in Wisconsin, Colorado, and Wyoming, where up to 40% of deer are infected.
The CDC has also advised hunters to test their meat and take precautions when handling deer meat and to wear gloves and other protective gear when field-dressing the animal. Hunters should also avoid consuming parts of the deer known to contain high levels of prions, such as the brain, spinal cord, eyes, tonsils, and lymph nodes.
“We don’t want to scare people, but we want them to be aware of the risks and to take precautions,” said Dr. Lumsden. “We need to be vigilant and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.”
The incident has also raised concerns about the risks associated with the spread of CWD among deer populations. The disease is believed to be spreading rapidly across the United States, and some experts fear that it could have devastating consequences for deer populations and the ecosystems they inhabit.
“We need to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease and to protect our deer populations,” said Dr. James Kroll, a wildlife biologist at Texas A&M University. “We need to be proactive and take aggressive measures to contain the disease.”
Several states have taken actions to mitigate the risks associated with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). For instance, Wisconsin has established a comprehensive monitoring initiative mandating the testing of all deer killed in specific counties for the disease. Although other states have implemented similar measures, many continue to grapple with the challenge posed by CWD.