Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer Raises Concerns Over Human Consumption
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal neurological illness affecting deer, is spreading across North America, raising concerns about its potential impact on humans. CWD is caused by prions, misfolded proteins that lead to brain degeneration in infected animals. The disease is highly transmissible among deer and can persist in the environment for years. Despite no confirmed human cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises caution, as laboratory studies suggest a potential risk of transmission to humans. The disease has been reported in 36 U.S. states and several Canadian provinces, with an estimated 15,000 infected deer consumed by humans annually. 
