What Is CWD?

Understanding the cause of CWD and how it is transferred helps AGFC manage this disease.

• CWD is a naturally occurring disease of the brain and nervous system in deer and elk.
• CWD is caused by a misfolded protein molecule in cells called a prion. These prions change how regular cells duplicate. These prion-affected cells build up in an infected animal’s brain and tissue. The more prions, the more damage to the animal. The disease is always fatal.