Current Affairs Section
ZOMBIE DEER DISEASE SPREADING
- Known scientifically as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), it is a progressive and fatal neurological disease which primarily affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer
- Scientists express concern over the possibility of the deadly and incurable 'zombie deer' disease affecting humans.
- CWD is caused by infectious proteins called prions.
- Prions are proteins that cause other proteins in the brain to fold abnormally - they create spongy holes in the tissue - leading to brain damage and neurological diseases.
- CWD prions are highly contagious and spread through body fluids such as saliva, feces, blood, or urine, either by direct contact or environmental contamination.
- It is always fatal in infected animals. There is no vaccine or treatment.
Category: Science & Tech