Study: Hunters Die After Consuming CWD-Infected Venison
By Mike Fishmore | April 18, 2024
New transmission
Since Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was initially identified at a captive cervid facility in Wyoming in 1967, it has been spreading throughout North American deer populations.
Despite this, there has never been a verified case of the deadly neurological disease crossing over from cervids to humans in all the years since.
Recent study
However, a recent study published in the journal Neurology suggests that the feared transmission of CWD from deer harvested by hunters to humans may have taken place in 2022. The title of the study is "Two Hunters from the Same Lodge Afflicted with Sporadic CJD," it reads. "Is Chronic Wasting Disease to Blame?"
Chronic wasting disease
The authors proceed to emphasize a group of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) instances following contact with deer infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD). "Those findings, they say, are "suggestive of potential prion transmission from CWD-infected deer to humans."
Result in death
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is commonly associated with Mad Cow Disease. Similar to CWD, mad cow disease spreads among cows through misshapen proteins known as prions. This disease leads to a series of brain-related issues that eventually result in death for the affected cows.
Pass on to humans
Mad Cow Disease has been proven to pass on to humans through the consumption of contaminated beef, leading to the development of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.
Eating venison
The recent study recounts the case of an unidentified hunter who developed CJD after regularly eating venison from deer infected with Chronic Wasting Disease. The paper mentions a 72-year-old man who displayed sudden confusion and aggression in 2022, with a history of consuming meat from deer populations affected by CWD.
Typical indicators
Those symptoms are typical indicators of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. "Despite aggressive symptomatic treatment of seizures and agitation, the patient’s condition deteriorated and he died within a month of initial presentation," the study goes on to state. "The diagnosis was confirmed postmortem as sporadic CJD."
Verified case
Based on the patient's background of consuming deer meat infected with CWD, the authors propose the idea of "a potential new transmission of CWD from animals to humans."
Passed away
They also examined the situation of one of the hunter's acquaintances who consumed venison from the same deer group. According to the authors, this individual also passed away from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease recently.
Not disclose
The Neurology research does not disclose the locations where the individuals with CJD resided and hunted. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that CWD has been identified in 32 states across the U.S.
Highest number
The states with the highest number of counties affected by CWD in deer populations are Kansas, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Additionally, CWD is prevalent in deer herds in Canada.
Remains unconfirmed
While the authors of the study on April 9 are cautious to state that the link between the recent cases of CJD in hunters and CWD remains unconfirmed, their results emphasize the serious risks associated with consuming meat from CWD-infected animals.
Stress the importance
They stress the importance of having deer meat tested for CWD by the relevant state wildlife agency whenever feasible.
Potential risks
"Further investigation into the potential risks of consuming CWD-infected deer and its implications for public health," the study concludes. "Surveillance and further research are essential to better understand this possible association."
