1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

The spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) across 36 U.S. states and into parts of Canada, Europe, and Asia is deeply concerning. As the incurable neurological disorder continues to devastate cervid populations like deer, elk, and moose, the risk of human transmission grows more alarming each day. This calls for urgent action from our leaders. A unified global strategy is imperative, as the experts convened for the recent report on CWD spillover preparedness emphasize. We cannot allow political polarization or science denial to further hinder an effective response. The United States must rejoin the World Health Organization and ensure public health agencies like the CDC are led by qualified scientific experts, not ideologues pushing conspiracy theories. Credible research and international cooperation are key to mitigating this potential crisis before it's too late. Concrete steps must be taken to enhance disease monitoring, prevent environmental contamination from infected carcasses, and avoid policies enabling rapid transmission among wildlife. Curbing practices like commercial game farming and supplemental winter feeding could help control the outbreak's spread. Ultimately, we need science-based policymaking and funding prioritized for CWD research to protect human health, preserve iconic species, and uphold treasured American traditions around ethical hunting and wildlife conservation. The consequences of inaction are too severe.