An Outbreak of Zombie Disease in Canada: What You Need to Know

An Outbreak of Zombie Disease in Canada: What You Need to Know

Zombie Disease, also known as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), is a fatal neurological disorder found in deer, elk, and moose. However, recently, CWD has been found in a Canadian province and has now spread over a vast area. The first signs of CWD-infected animals emerged in mid-2018, and now the multiple cases of the disease have been reported. The virus has been active in herds for quite some time, and experts believe that it could spread to humans. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about the outbreak of Zombie Disease in Canada.

What is Zombie Disease?

Zombie Disease is a highly infectious neurological disorder that affects deer, elk, and moose. The disease causes a hole in their brain resulting in the animal’s gradual decline. Infected animals show symptoms of extreme weight loss, drooping ears, and a wide stance, which makes it hard for them to stand. The virus spreads quickly, and infected animals become aggressive and compulsively move in circles due to the infection eating away their brain. Unfortunately, there is no known cure. Infected animals die within a few months of acquiring the virus.

How did the Zombie Disease outbreak start in Canada?

The Zombie Disease outbreak was first found in North America in the 1960s. The virus spread to many regions within the United States before moving north to Canada. In May 2018, traces of the virus were detected in a farmed deer in Alberta, Canada. In September 2018, seven infected wild deer were found in Saskatchewan, Canada. With the virus having at least an 18-month incubation period, these infected animals had most likely had the disease for over a year.

How widespread is the disease in Canada?

The outbreak has spread across multiple Canadian territories and provinces. CWD has been found in animals in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Alberta’s Northern Boreal region, and Quebec’s Gatineau region. The Canadian media has labeled the virus Zombie Disease because of the erratic behavior it causes in infected animals, but it isn’t Zombie-related in any way. The infected animals appear uncannily zombie-like, leading to the use of the term ‘Zombie Disease’.

Can Zombie Disease spread to Humans?

Although there haven’t been any such cases yet, the virus can potentially infect humans. The virus is similar to the Mad Cow Disease virus (BSE) that caused the deaths of around 200 people in the United Kingdom in the 1990s. Experts believe that if Zombie Disease spreads to humans, it will start in regions with high deer hunting activity. Eating the meat from infected animals is the primary way humans could contract the virus. The disease is not airborne but can spread through the consumption of infected meat.

What is being done to contain the outbreak?

The Canadian Government is working with local authorities to control the spread of the virus. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is monitoring farms and wild animal populations for any signs of the disease. Infected animals are being culled to stop the virus from spreading, and the CFIA has banned the transport of animals from infected regions to uninfected areas. At present, there is no cure for the virus, and experts are working to develop a vaccine.

Conclusion

The Zombie Disease outbreak in Canada is a significant concern for the animal populations, hunters and the Canadian public as a whole. The true breadth of the outbreak is still unknown, and its potential spread to humans is worrying. It is essential to avoid contact with animals that may be infected, particularly in areas where the virus has been reported. Remember, the disease can affect humans, so exercising caution around infected animals is essential. The Canadian authorities are taking the necessary steps to contain the virus, but it is still a significant threat to animal and human populations.

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