Frequently Asked Questions about Chronic Wasting Disease

4. Can people get infected by chronic wasting disease?

A lot of people try comparing chronic waste disease with mad cow disease which is more common. However, these two diseases are markedly different. Right now, there's no concrete evidence that people are at risk for the chronic wasting disease. However, public health officials recommend the avoidance of the exposure to the infectious agent of CWD. This is especially important as they're still trying to assess potential health risks of the disease. Wildlife and health officials advise caution when it comes to this disease. This means that hunters shouldn't consume the meat from animals which may have the disease. Also, hunters should take precaution when processing or field dressing elk or deer in areas with a CWD infection.