Urgent Warning: Chronic Wasting Disease Could Jump to Humans or Livestock—Are We Ready?

As Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) continues to spread among cervid populations like deer, moose, and elk, experts are raising concerns about the potential for the disease to jump to humans or farm animals. The University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) has released a comprehensive report outlining critical gaps in preparedness for a possible CWD spillover event, which could have catastrophic health and economic consequences.

While no human cases of CWD have been identified, the disease’s increasing prevalence in wildlife, paired with evolving prion strains, raises concerns about the possibility of the disease crossing the species barrier. This situation is compounded by inconsistent disease surveillance practices and limited resources for managing the outbreak, should a spillover event occur.

Key Findings from the CIDRAP Report

CIDRAP’s new report, titled "Chronic Wasting Disease Spillover Preparedness and Response: Charting an Uncertain Future," highlights serious gaps in the ability to detect and respond to CWD should it spread beyond cervids. The report is the product of the collective expertise of 67 specialists across multiple disciplines, including human health, wildlife management, animal health, prion biology, and disease diagnostics.

Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., MPH, CIDRAP director and University of Minnesota Regents Professor, emphasized the report’s findings: “We’re simply not prepared should a species jump occur. The spread of CWD and prion strain evolution could lead to serious public health risks.”

CWD, caused by prions (infectious proteins), has been affecting wild cervids since it was first identified in Colorado in 1967. Since then, it has spread to 35 U.S. states and other countries, with prions being shed in body fluids, which can then contaminate the environment or spread between animals. Experts fear that with the prion strains continuing to evolve, the possibility of CWD transmitting to other species—including humans—could increase over time.

Spillover Risks and Uncertainty

While basic science research suggests that the likelihood of CWD infecting humans is currently low, this may change as prions evolve. "Prions can evolve, and this current state is not guaranteed," says Jason Bartz, Ph.D., a Creighton University professor and co-chair of the CIDRAP animal surveillance working group. The potential for a new prion strain to affect humans or farm animals underscores the urgency of strengthening preparedness.

Russ Mason, Ph.D., a wildlife expert and co-chair of CIDRAP’s wildlife working group, adds that this is the first time a true "One Health" approach has been taken to assess CWD’s spillover potential. "We’re considering what would happen the day after a spillover event," he says, noting the potential challenges for wildlife managers, agricultural experts, and public health professionals.

Critical Recommendations for Action

The CIDRAP report provides nine recommendations aimed at improving surveillance, research, and response efforts. Some key actions proposed include:

• Cultivating dedicated, multiyear funding for CWD research and management.

• Strengthening collaboration among wildlife managers, agricultural experts, neurologists, and human health providers.

• Expanding and standardizing CWD surveillance, including prion strain typing in cervids, wildlife, and farm animals.

• Enhancing outreach to primary care physicians for better surveillance and reporting of prion diseases.

• Estimating the need for carcass disposal capacity and improving procedures for handling contaminated materials.

Dr. Osterholm and his team stress that the next step is to present these findings to agencies responsible for CWD surveillance to ensure that preparedness efforts are enhanced before a spillover event occurs.

What’s Next for CWD Surveillance?

The CIDRAP report represents an important step in addressing the growing concerns surrounding Chronic Wasting Disease. As the disease continues to spread, the possibility of it crossing into farm animals or humans remains an ongoing risk. Addressing the vulnerabilities identified in this report and taking proactive measures could make a significant difference in mitigating the potential impact of CWD spillover.

While no definitive timeline exists for when, or if, CWD will spill over to other species, the report’s recommendations provide a crucial roadmap for preparing for a scenario that could have far-reaching consequences. It’s time for the relevant agencies to heed these warnings and act before it’s too late.