The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed a second case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the state, a disease that is 100 percent fatal to deer. This follows the first case reported earlier in 2025 in neighboring Georgia.
According to the University of Minnesota, that case made Georgia the 36th state in the U.S. to report CWD, which is classified as a “fatal prion disease.”
Highlights
- The FWC confirmed a second case of Chronic Wasting Disease.
- The infected deer was found in Holmes County, near the Georgia border.
- CWD is 100 percent fatal in deer, and there is no known treatment or vaccine.
Florida has implemented a response plan
The FWC indicated that the recent case was a road casualty—a 1.5-year-old doe sampled less than a mile from where a case was detected in 2023. That earlier case involved a white-tailed deer that had been struck by a vehicle, leading to the initiation of a “disease response plan.”
The agency is taking CWD seriously
As stated in their announcement two years prior, the FWC has reiterated its commitment: “We take CWD very seriously and are continuing with a comprehensive response plan aimed at containing the disease.” They noted that due to the proximity of the second case to the first, there will be no changes to the Management or Enhanced Surveillance Zones.
Florida has since tested 2,500 deer for the disease
According to the state’s statistics, a total of 2,406 deer have been tested since the beginning of this endeavor, with two confirmed positive for CWD. Additionally, around 90 tests are still pending.
Experts advise against consuming meat from affected deer
While CWD does not impact humans directly, experts caution against eating the meat of infected animals because of potential links to mad cow disease.
It’s worth noting that aside from severe weight loss and other bodily functions in its late stages, CWD does not present with visual symptoms in deer.
CWD should not be confused with cutaneous fibromas
The term “zombie deer” often referred to animals affected by both CWD and non-fatal conditions like cutaneous fibromas, which can also be seen in other animals such as rabbits and squirrels. These harmless warts do not pose a serious risk to the deer, aside from possibly affecting their ability to eat or evade predators.
On social media, some users have made light of the situation, suggesting that eating “zombie deer” could be safer than buying meat from grocery stores. The label “zombie deer” reflects the drastic symptoms of CWD, such as weight loss, poor coordination, and a vacant stare due to brain deterioration.
CWD has gained federal attention
On a national level, CWD has garnered focus, with Congress approving $35 million annually for research efforts, including tracking the disease’s spread in live animals and enhancing preventive measures.
In light of recent events, discussions have emerged questioning the origins of CWD, reflecting widespread curiosity and concern among the public.
