Wisconsin is losing its battle against chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal ailment that has ravaged the state’s deer population. Despite efforts to control the outbreak, the disease continues to spread, causing concern among hunters and conservationists alike.
The disease, which is caused by an abnormal protein called a prion, attacks the brain and nervous system of deer. It is highly contagious and can spread through contact with infected saliva, urine, or feces. There is no known cure or treatment for CWD, and infected animals eventually die.
The spread of CWD in Wisconsin has been attributed to a number of factors, including the high density of deer in the state and the lack of natural barriers to their movement. The disease has been spreading rapidly in recent years, and it is now present in 63 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.