Carnivores, transmission

CWD prions are highly contagious, at least for transmission within and between deer and elk populations. However, it is also of great interest to analyze the interspecies transmissibility or species barriers of CWD for several reasons. Such studies may enable determination of (1) the source of the CWD agent, (2) the possible distribution to carnivores feeding on infected carcasses and rodents as reservoir hosts, and (3) finally, the most important reason for such studies is to predict whether CWD might be transmissible to humans. 

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