Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) of mule deer, whitetailed deer, elk(or “wapiti”), and moose (“elk” in Europe). TSEs are caused by unusual infectious agents known as prions. To date, CWD has been found mainly in cervids (members of the deer family). First recognized as a clinical “wasting” syndrome in 1967 inmule deer in a wildlife research facility in northern Colorado, USA, it was identified as a … Continue reading What a Waste