Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a highly infectious and fatal disease affecting deer, elk, and moose populations, has re-emerged in New York State. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently confirmed this case, marking a concerning development in wildlife management. This is the first known case in New York since 2005, when the state implemented extensive measures to control and prevent the disease’s spread in both captive and wild populations. CWD is caused by prions—infectious, misfolded proteins—that damage the brain and nervous system of cervids and is similar in its effects to “mad cow disease” in cattle. CWD’s Ecological and … Continue reading New York’s $1 Billion Deer Industry at Risk as Chronic Wasting Disease Returns After 19 Years