"Potential Transmission of CWD-Causing Prions to Consumers Through Plants"

A study found that plants can absorb prions from contaminated soil, and lab mice that ingested these plants developed prion disease. This raises concerns about the potential for plants to spread chronic wasting disease (CWD) to new areas and expose animals or humans to the disease. While there is no evidence of prions in plants infecting deer or non-cervid animals, the possibility of prion uptake in crops and the lack of effective remediation methods pose challenges for agriculture and public health. Norway has implemented regulations to prevent the import of contaminated plants, aiming to confine or eradicate CWD.