The full form of CWD is Chronic Wasting Disease.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal, neurological illness that affects cervids, which are members of the deer family. These include animals like white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. This disease has been observed in North America and is characterized by its progressive and ultimately deadly nature.
CWD belongs to a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), also known as prion diseases. Other TSEs include scrapie in sheep and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, in cattle. These diseases cause characteristic spongy degeneration of the brain.
Since its initial discovery in 1967, CWD has spread geographically and increased in local prevalence, raising concerns among wildlife managers and public health officials.
