There are major concerns in mule deer, elk, white-tailed deer and moose populations. What could this concern be? A disease called chronic wasting disease (CWD). It first came from a captive mule deer in Colorado, in the 1960s, and was not found in the wild until 1981. This disease doesn't just affect Colorado, there are many other states that have started to have possible cases. Some people may ask some questions like: How is this disease spread? What causes this disease? What are the symptoms? How can we help stop all this? What exactly is CWD? CWD is a life-threatening disease that affects the host's nervous system. “It spreads through saliva, urine, feces and blood” (Humane Society). Symptoms of CWD are “reduced eating and weight loss, possible blindness, excessive alcohol consumption, head tumors, loss of coordination, and increased salivation” (Humane Society). One of the biggest concerns is the spread of CWD to humans. This is actually very possible, because when a hunter can kill one of the hosts such as a white-tailed deer, and that animal was infected but showed no signs before the hunter picked it up, and while cleaning the animal he did not he did notice that it wasn't exactly normal, but he simply shrugged it off and moved on. It subsequently ate the flesh of the infected host. He could possibly contract this deadly disease. This has indeed been reported in some states, but “to date none could be proven to be CWD” (CDC). As I asked in the last paragraph, “How can we help stop this disease?” good for beginners in captive herds, feeding and watering stations are located throughout the property. If CWD has affected your farm or property, do not keep these feeding stations active, as CWD spreads through bodily fluids or... middle of paper... not a serious problem as it could travel to others states and counties in Illinois, but from now on the affected states should keep a watchful eye and not get lazy. As long as we can keep it in the affected states, we will have a better chance of fighting this horrible disease. There is the possibility of being able to reduce the possible cases and, perhaps, in the near future, perhaps eliminate them definitively. Works Citied "Chronic Wasting Disease". The Humane Society of the United States. Human society. Nd April 15, 2014. Center for Disease Control “Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).” Center for Disease Control. ND April 14, 2014. Shelton, Paul, and Patrick McDonald “Chronic Wasting Disease of Illinois: Surveillance and Management Report 2012-2013.” Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. April 14, 2014.