Missouri (The Lake Tribune) – A concerning development in Missouri’s wildlife has caught the attention of scientists and conservationists alike, as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) continues its silent spread among the state’s deer population. According to Scott Napper, a prominent biochemist and vaccinologist at the University of Saskatchewan, this disease could pose a far greater threat than previously anticipated, potentially harboring the capacity to eventually affect humans on a global scale.
Chronic Wasting Disease, a prion disease, has been a known affliction within various cervid populations, including white-tailed deer, across North America for decades. The Missouri Department of Conservation has been closely monitoring the disease, describing it as a fatal condition that compromises the health of deer and other cervids. Despite ongoing efforts, the disease’s prevalence continues to raise alarm, particularly given the implications outlined by recent studies and expert warnings.
Map of CWD Management Zone and Statewide Surveillance ZonePhoto byMissouri Department of Conservation