CWD Maps & Spread of the Disease
As of April 2006, CWD has been detected in deer and elk in 14 states and two Canadian provinces. The disease is transmitted animal-to-animal, by contact with infected carcasses, and by contact with contaminated environments. Some scientists believe that if the present scenario continues CWD could destroy nearly all of the wild populations of deer and elk in North America. In addition, as the prevalence of CWD increases, the risk that it could cause the development of a new TSE in other animals or humans increases. By example, in the past year CWD has increased in states where it already existed, jumped to three additional states-and in Colorado-jumped species (moose).
