A threat hangs over the deer kingdom, a disease whose name conjures up images of horror:"zombie deer". This plague, which attacks the central systems of these majestic animals, is proving fatal on an alarming scale. Symptoms worthy of apocalyptic tales include significant weight loss, impaired coordination and glassy eyes, throwing victims into a state of confusion andaggression.
This pathology, reminiscent of mad cow disease, rightly arouses scientific concern about its potential transmission to humans. The virus' unprecedented resistance to conventional disinfection methods compounds the threat. Even when subjected to extreme temperatures of 600°C, it remains indomitable. Recent epidemic outbreaks in the USA, particularly in natural sanctuaries such as Yellowstone National Park, bear witness to the virulence of this disease. Its spread is not confined to the USA, affecting distant lands such as Norway, Sweden, Finland and South Korea.
Faced with this growing threat, the authorities are urgently appealing to hunters to have game tested before consumption. Public health is at stake ...
