Chronic wasting disease, a neurological illness spreading rapidly among deer, elk and moose, has scientists increasingly concerned. The prions that cause it may be evolving to become more able to infect humans. Despite the concern, tens of thousands of infected animals have been eaten by people in recent years, yet there have been no known human cases of the disease.
Each fall, millions of hunters across North America make their way into forests and grasslands to kill deer. Over the winter, people chow down on the venison steaks, sausage, and burgers made from the animals.