UCalgary study sheds new light on chronic wasting disease and cross-species transmission

Calgary, AB –  New research led by the University of Calgary is offering important insights into Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal prion disease affecting deer, elk and other cervids, and its potential to cross species barriers.

In a newly published study featured in the journal Science Advances, researchers from UCalgary, UTHealth Houston's McGovern Medical School, Saarland University, German Primate Centre and Robert Koch Institute explored the zoonotic potential of CWD, and found asymptomatic carriers could trigger full-blown disease in other species.

“These findings show that even without obvious symptoms, infectious prions can still be present and transmissible.”
 
Dr. Samia Hannaoui, PhD, researcher and assistant professor at UCalgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM); senior author on the study

The findings point to the possibility of atypical or silent infections and highlight how prion diseases can behave in complex and evolving ways. 

“This work highlights the complexity of prion diseases, including the possibility of low-levelor silent infections. As prions move between hosts, they can change in ways that are still not fully understood.”

Dr. Hermann Shaetzl, PhD, researcher and professor at the UCalgary UCVM; first author on the study

There are currently no confirmed cases of CWD in humans. However, as the disease continues to expand across North America, researchers say ongoing surveillance and research are essential.

“Our findings don’t indicate an immediate risk to humans, but they do suggest the situation is more nuanced than previously understood,” said Schaetzl.

“As CWD becomes more widespread, understanding these dynamics become increasingly important.”
 

Media inquiries

Kirsten Glowa Kobe 
Communications & Marketing Manager
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
403-829-3933
kristenglowa.kobe@ucalgary.ca

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