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
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Some include complaints over Missouri’s handling of chronic wasting disease among deer, while others hone in on allegations of local government corruption or the requirement that vehicles have two license plates.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
At the same time, conserving Wyoming’s fish and wildlife amid all the modern-day threats — things like chronic wasting disease and invasive zebra mussels — is getting more expensive.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2025
The state Legislature enacted new regulations mandating stricter fencing standards for deer farms across the state in response to growing concerns over chronic wasting disease.
—Janean Sorrell, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2024
And Itasca County is currently under a deer feeding and attractant ban to minimize exposure to chronic wasting disease.
—Tom Olsen, Twin Cities, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chronic wasting disease
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Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
At the same time, conserving Wyoming’s fish and wildlife amid all the modern-day threats — things like chronic wasting disease and invasive zebra mussels — is getting more expensive.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2025
The state Legislature enacted new regulations mandating stricter fencing standards for deer farms across the state in response to growing concerns over chronic wasting disease.
—Janean Sorrell, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2024
And Itasca County is currently under a deer feeding and attractant ban to minimize exposure to chronic wasting disease.
—Tom Olsen, Twin Cities, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chronic wasting disease
Cite this Entry
“Chronic wasting disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20wasting%20disease. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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