CDC warns deer disease in Tennessee could spread to humans

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NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WKRN) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned of the spread of a deer disease causing brain dieback, known as CWD, after recent studies suggest that 39, it could infect the man.

Chronic debilitating disease has been on the landscape for decades, but it is spreading.

"Over the last two decades, it has been found in 24 states of the country in animals roaming free," says Dr. Ryan Maddox, an epidemiologist at the CDC. "When you find it in new areas, it means more people are potentially exposed."

Officials have just discovered the disease in Tennessee in recent months and 183 deer have already been tested positive for prion disease.

In the past, says Maddox, other animal prion diseases such as BSE or "mad cow disease" have been transmitted to humans. This disease, now known as variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease, has since killed more than 200 people, mainly in the UK.

"So we have evidence of a prion disease in animals passed on to humans," says Maddox.

A recent scientific study provides the most substantial evidence that the MDC could also spread to humans.

"This study has important implications because at least the preliminary findings that have been shared have shown that chronic debilitating disease could spread to macaques, genetically close to humans," he explains.

Maddox says that this study, along with many others, is underway and that the CDC considers that research on MDC is a top priority.

"We are also conducting studies to determine if the number of cases of prion diseases is higher among people who may be at increased risk of being exposed to meat with deer and elk," Maddox said.

Although no cases of CWD infection have been reported in humans, CDC, Tennessee Wildlife & Resource Agency officials and Vanderbilt physicians have all expressed concern about the risk. of transmission of the disease to man by man.

This is why they advise you all to take precautions before consuming meat from animals that may be infected. For more information, click here.