What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) primarily associated with?

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is primarily associated with elk and deer, which are members of the Cervidae family. This neurological disease affects these species by causing a progressive deterioration of the brain, leading to severe weight loss, changes in behavior, and ultimately death. CWD is caused by prions, which are infectious proteins that cause misfolding of normal brain proteins.

Elk and various species of deer, including mule deer and white-tailed deer, are particularly susceptible to CWD. While white-tailed deer are indeed a significant carrier of the disease, the broader association with both elk and deer encompasses a wider range of the affected populations, highlighting the importance of monitoring and managing these species as part of wildlife conservation efforts. The other options do not represent the primary hosts for CWD, as moose and caribou, as well as mountain goats and sheep, have not been identified as significant carriers of this disease.