Can the disease affect and spread to the human population?

Will zombie movies become reality? Just recently, a chronic debilitating disease that turns deer into a so-called "zombie" has become viral online and has caused concern and fear in some people.

On Monday, there were 60 confirmed cases of chronic wither disease in Michigan, according to Click On Detroit. The target area in the state is 16 counties in the central and western parts. As the numbers grow, health experts are worried now because one day it could spread to the human population.

The disease causing the "zombie deer" is prevalent in 24 states, including Michigan, according to the source. To date, no cases of illness have been reported in humans. However, many health experts believe that this could happen to humans. Experts compared the disease to the mad cow epidemic in the 1980s in Britain.

Chronic wasting disease, also known as the "zombie", has infected deer, elk and moose in 24 US states and two Canadian provinces, Independent UK reported. This disease, which makes animals turn into zombies, attacks the tissues, including the brain and spinal cord. This causes considerable weight loss, loss of coordination, excessive salivation, excessive thirst or excessive urination, and makes the animals aggressive before they die.

Before the theory comes to fruition and to stop the spread of the disease, baiting or feeding deer is no longer allowed in Michigan.

Avoid infected meat

Michael Osterholm, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of Minnesota, states that up to 15,000 infected animals are eaten each year. This number could increase by 20% per year.

"It is likely that human cases of chronic debilitating disease badociated with the consumption of contaminated meat will be documented in the coming years," Osterholm said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised hunters to test deer before eating their meat. If the deer looks sick or is acting abnormally, it is better not to pull it.

Do not touch dead or dead animals, including moose and elk. If you see dead animals and they seem sick, note their location.

Wear gloves every time you dress a deer. The CDC recommends that hunters wear latex or rubber gloves when handling a hunted animal and its meat. If possible, avoid touching organs such as the brain and spinal cord tissue.