Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a highly contagious, fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. It is caused by an infectious protein called a prion, which is found in the brain, spinal cord, and other tissues of affected animals. CWD is spread through direct and indirect contact between animals, and can remain in the environment for long periods of time. As it is fatal and incurable, CWD is a significant concern for wildlife managers, conservationists, and hunters alike. To help protect public health and wildlife populations, surveillance, monitoring, and management strategies are needed to minimize the spread of CWD.
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