A new report by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) has highlighted the need for improved preparedness and response to a potential cross-species transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) from deer to humans. The report, titled “Chronic Wasting Disease Spillover Preparedness and Response: Charting an Uncertain Future,” brings together 67 national and international experts to identify key vulnerabilities in current response efforts.
According to CIDRAP director Michael Osterholm, the report’s authors spent two years studying the challenges posed by CWD, including prion biology, human medicine, animal medicine, carcass disposal, wildlife conservation, and more. The study revealed that current CWD response efforts are hampered by inconsistent disease surveillance among states and limited resources.
The report makes nine recommendations to address these gaps, including improving research, funding, surveillance, and public and animal health care. Osterholm warned that spillover might already be taking place, citing the risk of infection in feral pigs and domestic swine, which could have significant economic implications for the livestock market.
Additionally, the report highlights concerns about people consuming CWD-contaminated venison, which may contain infectious prions. Osterholm emphasized the need for better data on strain change over time in hunted cervids and improved surveillance methods to detect potential human cases. Without effective detection, misdiagnosis of CWD-related illnesses could occur, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited.
The report can be accessed online through CIDRAP’s website, providing a crucial resource for understanding the challenges posed by CWD spillover and identifying areas for improvement in US preparedness efforts.
Source: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/01/12/u-of-m-researchers-examine-preparedness-for-possibility-of-cwd-jump-to-humans