First Case of 'Zombie Deer Disease' Confirmed at Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming United States of America
10-15% of mule deer near Cody, Wyoming, that migrate into Yellowstone during the summer have CWD.
First case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) confirmed at Yellowstone National Park.
No reported cases of humans contracting the disease.

The first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), colloquially known as 'zombie deer disease', has been confirmed at Yellowstone National Park. The disease, which is fatal to deer and causes symptoms such as weight loss, loss of coordination, and other fatal neurological symptoms, has been detected in animals in at least 31 US states, two Canadian provinces, South Korea, and Europe.

The National Park Service estimates that 10-15% of mule deer near Cody, Wyoming, that migrate into Yellowstone during the summer have CWD. The disease has been spreading through Wyoming since the 1980s and currently infects 10 to 15 percent of mule deer in Wyoming, but has never before been recorded in the national park.

Officials at Yellowstone National Park have issued a warning to visitors to avoid wildlife after a 'zombie' deer was found dead near Yellowstone Lake. The deer was infected with CWD, a contagious and fatal disease that affects deer, reindeer, elk, and moose, causing symptoms such as excessive drooling, drooping ears, head tremors, teeth grinding, and reluctance to move.

The CDC says there have been no reported cases of humans contracting the disease, but it may affect other animals that come into contact with the infected deer. Additional studies are underway to determine if prion diseases could occur in people who are in contact with deer or elk meat. Park officials are working closely with the Wyoming Game & Fish Department to monitor the park's deer population and assess the spread of the disease.


Confidence

95%

Doubts
  • The impact of the disease on humans is still under study, creating some uncertainty.

Sources

98%

  • Unique Points
    • The National Park Service estimates that 10-15% of mule deer near Cody, Wyoming, that migrate into Yellowstone during the summer have CWD.
    • The CDC says there have been no reported cases of humans contracting the disease, but it may affect other animals that come into contact with the infected deer.
    • Additional studies are underway to determine if prion diseases could occur in people who are in contact with deer or elk meat.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

  • Unique Points
    • The disease is similar to 'Mad Cow', causing weight loss, loss of coordination, and other fatal neurological symptoms in deers.
    • The disease has been spreading through Wyoming since the 1980s and currently infects 10 to 15 percent of mule deer in Wyoming, but has never before been recorded in the national park.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

  • Unique Points
    • Park officials are working closely with the Wyoming Game & Fish Department to monitor the park's deer population and assess the spread of the disease.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

  • Unique Points
    • Officials at Yellowstone National Park have issued a warning to visitors to avoid wildlife after a 'zombie' deer was found dead near Yellowstone Lake.
    • The deer was infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD), a contagious and fatal disease that affects deer, reindeer, elk, and moose, causing symptoms such as excessive drooling, drooping ears, head tremors, teeth grinding, and reluctance to move.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication