A new report from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) highlights the growing concern of chronic wasting disease (CWD) spillover into humans and animals. The report, titled “Chronic Wasting Disease Spillover Preparedness and Response: Charting an Uncertain Future,” identifies gaps in preparedness and offers recommendations to enhance public and animal health agencies’ response.
CWD, caused by infectious proteins called prions, affects cervids like white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. The disease has been identified in 35 US states, Canada, Finland, Norway, South Korea, and Sweden since its first detection in Colorado in 1967. While no human cases have been confirmed, the increasing prevalence of CWD among cervids raises concerns about spillover into humans.
The report warns that emerging prion strains with greater cross-species transmission potential could heighten these risks. A successful spillover could have significant impacts on human health, the food supply, economy, global trade, and agriculture. To mitigate these consequences, CIDRAP recommends enhanced surveillance, research, and response capabilities for public and animal health agencies.
The report marks a significant effort to address CWD spillover preparedness, building on previous consensus reports from organizations like the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. By exploring the potential for spillover and its mitigation, CIDRAP aims to provide essential guidance for policymakers and stakeholders.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/chronic-wasting-disease/cidrap-report-highlights-gaps-offers-guidance-possible-cwd-spillover-people