What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?

About Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD):

• It is a progressive and fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk, moose, and other cervids (members of the deer family).
• It’s caused by abnormal proteins called prions that damage brain tissue, leading to severe neurological symptoms, weight loss, and eventually death.
• CWD is part of a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which also include mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.
• Transmission:
  • CWD spreads between animals through bodily fluids, like saliva, urine, and feces, as well as contaminated soil and plants.
  • There is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans.
• The disease can persist in the environment for long periods, making it challenging to control.
• Symptoms:
  • Symptoms appear slowly and may include drastic weight loss, lack of coordination, drooling, excessive thirst, lack of fear of humans, and eventually death.
  • Symptoms might not be visible for up to 16 months after infection.
• Treatment: It is always fatal in infected animals. There is no vaccine or treatment.

Q1: What is a Protein?

Proteins are the building blocks of life. Every cell in the human body contains protein. The basic structure of protein is a chain of amino acids. You need protein in your diet to help your body repair cells and make new ones. Protein is also important for growth and development in children, teens, and pregnant women.

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