posted on November 29, 2011 12:19 :: 2222 Views Chronic Wasting
Disease (CWD) Questions and Answers In the last two years, two
North Dakota deer have tested positive for chronic wasting
disease. These are the first two positive cases discovered in
the state among thousands of deer tested over the last decade or
so. Here’s a closer look at CWD with some common questions and
the best answers science has at this time. - What Is Chronic
Wasting Disease? Chronic wasting disease is a progressive, fatal
disease of the nervous system of white-tailed deer, mule deer,
elk and moose. It belongs to a family of diseases known as
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies, or prion diseases.
Although CWD shares certain features with other TSEs, like
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), scrapie in
sheep and goats, and Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease in humans, it
is a distinct disease apparently affecting only deer, elk and
moose. It causes damage to portions of the brain; creating holes
in the brain cells and cau