chronic wasting disease
noun
veterinary medicine
: a progressive, fatal prion disease of deer, elk, and moose that is characterized by weight loss, tremors, lack of coordination, drooling, excessive thirst, and listlessness
Since it was first identified two decades ago in deer in Colorado, chronic wasting disease has spread to a dozen states (including New York) and two Canadian provinces.—
Sandra Blakeslee
Sandra BlakesleeScientists have identified a handful of diseases caused by misfolded proteins called prions, including mad cow disease, scrapie in sheep, and chronic wasting disease in deer and elk.—Nathan Seppa
—abbreviation CWD
Nathan SeppaExamples of chronic wasting disease in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Taking care to avoid any glands that might contain traces of chronic wasting disease (CWD)—a 100 percent fatal illness in deer, elk and moose that has been in detected in 35 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces—Skarlupka put on a pair of nitrile gloves and carefully beheaded the carcass.
—Sophie Hartley, Scientific American, 10 Jan. 2025
In the lineup of wildlife diseases across the country, few are more studied and yet still more mysterious than chronic wasting disease.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 25 Dec. 2024
What Texas counties have chronic wasting disease cases?
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 5 June 2024
What are the visual signs of chronic wasting disease?
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chronic wasting disease 
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Sophie Hartley, Scientific American, 10 Jan. 2025
In the lineup of wildlife diseases across the country, few are more studied and yet still more mysterious than chronic wasting disease.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 25 Dec. 2024
What Texas counties have chronic wasting disease cases?
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 5 June 2024
What are the visual signs of chronic wasting disease?
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chronic wasting disease
Dictionary Entries Near chronic wasting disease
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Cite this Entry
“Chronic wasting disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20wasting%20disease. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
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