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Course Outline

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurological (brains and nervous system) disease found in deer, elk, moose, caribou, and reindeer (collectively referred to as cervids).

  • The disease is a type of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) or prion disease.
  • CWD attacks the brains of infected cervids and is always fatal.
  • Prions cannot be destroyed by radiation or temperatures under 1000°F (so they cannot be destroyed by cooking).
  • Prions can bind to certain common soil types and stay infectious in the environment for decades.

  • Unit 7 of 10
  • Topic 3 of 4
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