In an effort to slow, or even stop the spread of chronic wasting disease, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife passed an emergency rule last week banning the feeding of deer, elk, and moose north of Spokane. CWD is a fatal illness of cervids, which include deer, elk, and moose in Washington. It is caused by mutated proteins known as prions which can contaminate the environment and be transmitted between animals through feces, saliva, urine, and other bodily fluids.