CJD is rare but fatal. The UK NHS lists possible symptoms including loss of intellect and memory, changes in personality, loss of balance and coordination, slurred speech, vision problems and blindness, abnormal jerking movements and progressive loss of brain function and mobility. CJD usually causes fatality within a year of the symptoms’ onset.

The disease — which is 100% fatal — causes a deer's nervous system to shut down until they die, but there's no evidence of the disease spreading to humans.

Chronic wasting disease has been detected near Hawley for the first time. Hunters' voluntary testing helped identify the disease; new management zones and sampling rules may follow.