Two Cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Raise Concerns About Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer and Human Health

Mississippi or Wisconsin or Wyoming United States of America
Chronic Wasting Disease is a prion disease that affects cervids, characterized by weight loss, lack of coordination, stumbling, listlessness, drooling and lack of fear of people. It has been spreading to more states in the US including Indiana.
Research is being conducted by organizations such as the US Geological Survey, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, American Academy of Neurology to better understand the potential risks associated with CWD.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against consuming meat from animals that have tested positive for CWD.
Two hunters and a 72-year-old man consumed venison from a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) infected deer population and were diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and died.
Two Cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Raise Concerns About Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer and Human Health

Two recent reports have raised concerns about the potential link between Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer and human health. In one case, two hunters who consumed venison from a CWD-infected deer population were diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and died. In another report, a 72-year-old man presented rapid onset confusion and aggression after consuming meat from the same CWD positive deer population, and his friend who had also eaten venison from the same source recently passed away due to CJD as well.

CWD is a prion disease that affects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose. It is characterized by weight loss, lack of coordination, stumbling, listlessness, drooling and lack of fear of people. The disease has been spreading to more states in the US with Indiana being the latest addition.

The possibility of a novel animal-to-human transmission of CWD was suggested in a research abstract presented at the Neurology annual meeting. However, it is important to note that these cases do not prove causation and further investigation is needed to determine if there is indeed a link between CWD and human health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against consuming meat from animals that have tested positive for CWD. The US Geological Survey, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, American Academy of Neurology, and other organizations are conducting research to better understand the potential risks associated with CWD.

The spread of CWD in deer populations has economic consequences as well. In Alabama alone, over half a million residents were issued hunting licenses in 2021. The sport of deer hunting is an important part of the state's economy.

It is crucial to stay informed about the latest developments regarding CWD and its potential impact on human health. As always, it is essential to be skeptical of sensationalized reports and seek out reliable sources for accurate information.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Additional research is needed to determine if there is indeed a connection between CWD and human health.
  • The two cases do not definitively prove a causal link between Chronic Wasting Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.

Sources

80%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Chronic wasting disease: Death of 2 hunters in US raises fear of 'zombie deer'

USA Today Friday, 19 April 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Two hunters who ate venison from a CWD-infected deer population developed neurological conditions and died.
    • Chronic wasting disease continues to spread to more states with the most recent being Indiana.
    • Deer infected with CWD may be called ‘zombie deer’ due to symptoms such as weight loss, lack of coordination, stumbling, listlessness, drooling and lack of fear of people.
  • Accuracy
    • Chronic wasting disease is a rare, progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects animals and humans.
    • The highest concentration of CWD-infected deer can be found in Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article uses the term 'zombie deer disease' to sensationalize chronic wasting disease (CWD), which is a prion disease that affects deer, elk, moose and other animals. The author also implies a risk of transmission to humans without providing clear evidence or peer-reviewed studies. Additionally, the article quotes researchers who suggest a possible risk of transmission but do not provide definitive proof.
    • The case does not represent a proven case of transmission, but emphasizes the need for further investigation into the potential risks of consuming CWD-infected deer and its implications for public health.
    • Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have reported how two hunters who ate venison from a deer population known to have CWD died in 2022 after developing sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), which is a neurological disease like CWD.
    • Two hunters who ate meat from deer known to have chronic wasting disease – or "zombie deer disease' – developed similar neurological conditions and died, raising concerns that it can pass from animals to humans.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains an appeal to fear with the use of the term 'zombie deer disease' and repeated mentions of the potential for humans to contract this disease from consuming infected venison. The author also makes a hasty generalization by stating that 'deer may have an incubation period of up to two years before the onset of symptoms.' This statement is not supported by any evidence provided in the article and could mislead readers into believing that all deer with chronic wasting disease are asymptomatic for up to two years. Additionally, there is a use of inflammatory rhetoric with phrases such as 'potential crisis' and 'jump to humans' when discussing the potential transmission of chronic wasting disease to humans.
    • Two hunters who ate meat from deer known to have chronic wasting disease, or ‘zombie deer disease’, developed similar neurological conditions and died, raising concerns that it can pass from animals to humans.
    • Meanwhile, chronic wasting disease continues to spread to more states, with the most recent being Indiana. The potential for this disease to transmit to humans could create a 'potential crisis' similar to what mad cow disease caused.
  • Bias (95%)
    The article mentions the potential for chronic wasting disease (CWD) to be transmitted from animals to humans and raises concerns about it based on two reported cases of hunters who consumed venison from CWD-infected deer and later developed neurological conditions. The author does not explicitly state their position on the issue, but the tone of the article suggests a bias towards caution and concern for public health. The use of phrases like 'rapid-onset confusion and aggression' to describe one of the hunters' symptoms, as well as comparisons to mad cow disease, imply a belief that CWD is a serious threat that should be taken seriously.
    • However, given the nature of prions, CDC and other agencies have supported all efforts to keep any prion disease out of the food chain.
      • Meanwhile, chronic wasting disease continues to spread to more states...
        • Should CWD transmit to humans, it could create a 'potential crisis' similar to what mad cow disease caused.
          • The second man to die, who was 77, suffered 'rapid-onset confusion and aggression', the researchers said, and died within a month despite treatment.
            • Two hunters who ate venison from a deer population known to have CWD died in 2022 after developing sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), which is a neurological disease like CWD.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            95%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            Study: Deadly deer disease could be linked to hunter deaths

            WVTM 13 News Station Lisa Crane Friday, 19 April 2024 12:52
            • Unique Points
              • If more CWD cases are identified, it could lead to decreased hunter numbers and economic consequences for states with significant hunting industries.
              • In 2021, over half a million Alabamians were issued hunting licenses.
              • The sport of deer hunting is an important part of Alabama’s economy.
            • Accuracy
              • Two hunter deaths in Wyoming are being investigated as potential cases of CWD transmitted to humans.
              • Chronic Wasting Disease is a deadly and contagious disease affecting deer populations.
            • 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

            77%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            Research raises questions of human health risk with Chronic Wasting Disease

            Daily Leader Hunter Cloud Thursday, 18 April 2024 19:00
            • Unique Points
              • A pair of deer hunters from an area where CWD positive deer lived, died after contracting Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
              • The research presented at the Neurology annual meeting reported a 72 year old man with a history of consuming meat from a CWD infected deer population presented rapid onset confusion and aggression.
              • The patient’s friend, who had eaten venison from the same deer population, recently died of CJD.
              • The research abstract suggests the possibility of a novel animal to human transmission of CWD.
            • Accuracy
              • The research presented at the Neurology annual meeting reported a 72 year old man with a history of consuming meat from a CWD infected deer population presented rapid onset confusion and aggression
              • The patient's friend, who had eaten venison from the same deer population, recently died of CJD
            • Deception (30%)
              The article makes several statements that imply a potential human health risk from Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) without providing sufficient evidence to support those statements. The author quotes a research abstract that suggests a possible link between CWD and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans, but the abstract does not definitively prove this link. The author also states that 'ongoing research with primates and mice models show the cross species transmission of CWD is possible,' but this statement is not directly related to the human health risk discussed in the article. Additionally, there are several instances of sensationalism and emotional manipulation in the article, such as 'A pair of deer hunters from an area where CWD positive deer lived, died after contracting Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.' This statement creates a sense of urgency and fear without providing enough context or evidence to support it.
              • A pair of deer hunters from an area where CWD positive deer lived, died after contracting Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
              • Ongoing research with primates and mice models show the cross species transmission of CWD is possible.
            • Fallacies (85%)
              The author makes an appeal to authority by citing a research abstract that suggests a possible link between Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans. However, the author fails to provide enough context or evidence beyond the abstract, which does not definitively prove causation. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating 'history of CWD Mississippi... raises questions about CWD and humans it does not fully answer.' This statement is subjective and could be interpreted as sensationalizing the issue.
              • The poster concluded it is possible sporadic CJD cases may occur in regions with confirmed CWD infected deer populations which could be indicative of potential cross-species prion transmission.
              • history of CWD Mississippi... raises questions about CWD and humans it does not fully answer.
            • Bias (80%)
              The author suggests a possible link between Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer and the transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans. While the abstract presented at the Neurology annual meeting does not definitively prove this link, it is mentioned several times throughout the article. This repeated suggestion could be seen as a bias towards implying a connection between CWD and CJD.
              • Researchers reported the 72-year old man died within a month of initial presentation of symptoms despite aggressive symptomatic treatment of seizures and agitation. A postmortem diagnosis confirmed the disease was sporadic CJD with homozygous methionine at codon 129.
                • The poster concluded it is possible sporadic CJD cases may occur in regions with confirmed CWD infected deer populations which could be indicative of potential cross-species prion transmission.
                  • The research reported a 72 year old man with a history of consuming meat from a CWD infected deer population presented rapid onset confusion and aggression.
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication

                  84%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  Did CWD Kill Two Unnamed Hunters? Probably Not.

                  MeatEater Aaron Agosto Monday, 22 April 2024 05:33
                  • Unique Points
                    • The study suggests a possible novel animal-to-human transmission of CWD based on non-human primate and mouse models.
                  • Accuracy
                    • ]The study suggests a possible novel animal-to-human transmission of CWD based on non-human primate and mouse models.[
                  • Deception (30%)
                    The article makes several statements that could be considered sensational and misleading. The title itself, 'Did CWD Kill Two Unnamed Hunters? Probably Not.', is already a sensationalized statement as it implies that there is a definite link between the hunters' deaths and CWD, when in fact the study only suggests a possible link. The article also states that 'several resulting news articles do boldly make that jump', implying that these news articles are making false claims, but it does not provide any examples or evidence of this. Additionally, the article quotes biologist Jim Heffelfinger expressing skepticism about the study and its conclusions, but it does not disclose whether Heffelfinger has any affiliations or conflicts of interest that could influence his perspective. The article also uses emotional language to describe CWD as 'zombie deer disease' and refers to it as a 'pulp treatment in the press', which could be seen as attempting to manipulate the reader's emotions.
                    • The article states that 'several resulting news articles do boldly make that jump', implying that these news articles are making false claims, but it does not provide any examples or evidence of this.
                    • The title itself, 'Did CWD Kill Two Unnamed Hunters? Probably Not.', is sensationalized and implies a definite link between the hunters' deaths and CWD, when in fact the study only suggests a possible link.
                  • Fallacies (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Bias (95%)
                    The author does not directly express bias towards any particular side in the article. However, there are several instances where the author criticizes sensationalized reporting by other news outlets regarding the study. This can be seen as a form of anti-mainstream media bias. The author also provides context and information that challenges the claims made in some news articles, which can be seen as an attempt to correct potential misinformation.
                    • The Daily Mail published a particularly inflammatory headline stating that 'Two hunters become first Americans to die from ’ZOMBIE DEER DISEASE’ after eating infected venison.'
                      • While it is true that these hunters did eat venison, and they did die, and CJD was the cause of death in both hunters, the connection remains unproven.
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication