Humans fear "zombie deer disease" is spreading in the United States

TOPEKA, Kan (KSNT) – The Center for Disease Control has warned of a deadly disease spreading in the United States.

Chronic debilitating disease, called "zombie deer disease," is a disease that infects the brain, spine and tissues of deer, elk and moose.

According to the CDC, the disease begins by infecting prion proteins in the brain and is transmitted through contact with body fluids and contaminated tissues.

Affected animals exhibit symptoms such as emaciation related to forgetfulness of eating, excessive drooling and stumbling.

There is no treatment or vaccine against MDC and the disease is fatal.

The CDC sounded the alarm about the risk of human infection by MDC, a July 2017 study having shown that monkeys eating infected deer meat had contracted the disease.

There is no known case of CWD in a person.

However, the CDC has warned the public to test venison or elk meat for CWD before eating it in areas with documented infections.