By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society

There has been a lot in the news about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in recent months, so it seems timely to write an article on the topic and discuss its impacts on Minnesota’s wildlife.  CWD is part of a group of neurological diseases called spongiform encephalopathies (TSE’s) which are believed to cause abnormal proteins to form called prions. Proteins become abnormal and contagious when the protein material folds incorrectly.