Florida wildlife officials have confirmed the state’s second case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) — a deadly and highly contagious neurological illness often referred to as “zombie deer disease.” The infection was detected in a young white-tailed doe found dead after a vehicle collision in Holmes County, near the Alabama border.

The state’s first confirmed case of CWD was reported in June 2023, just a mile from the recent discovery, signaling a troubling pattern of local spread.

CWD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects the brains of deer and related species. Although there is no evidence that it can infect humans, the disease spreads easily among animals and has no known cure or vaccine.

“This disease right now is probably the greatest threat to deer and deer hunting in North America,” said Steven Shea, a wildlife biologist managing more than half a million acres of deer habitat in central Florida.

“Every instance where it’s been tried to be contained and eradicated has been unsuccessful. What agencies are trying to do is slow down the spread and keep it in a relatively small area.”

In response, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has activated an emergency response plan, establishing a special management zone that spans Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. The plan includes enhanced testing, active surveillance, and carcass disposal regulations to prevent further transmission.

Currently, 90 deer are being tested for possible infection as part of intensified monitoring efforts. The FWC has also mandated that hunters in affected regions submit deer carcasses for mandatory testing to aid in early detection and control.

“Hunters are our first line of defense in managing this disease,” said James Kelly, the FWC’s CWD surveillance coordinator. “Florida’s early detection program provides a best-case scenario for containing the spread.”

Often called a “silent killer,” CWD can remain undetected for years, as infected deer may appear healthy before developing weight loss, confusion, drooling, and loss of coordination — symptoms that eventually lead to severe brain damage and death.

Florida’s deer population is estimated at around 700,000, with nearly 100,000 hunted each year, making it the state’s most popular game animal. Experts warn that the disease could have far-reaching ecological and economic impacts if it deters hunting participation. “Hunters are the major way we control deer populations,” Shea cautioned. “If hunting declines because of CWD concerns, deer numbers could surge, leading to more vehicle collisions and crop damage.”

Wildlife officials continue to urge vigilance among hunters and communities, emphasizing that early detection and responsible carcass management remain the most effective tools to slow the spread of CWD across Florida’s deer herds.