Florida Detects Second Incidence of Chronic Wasting Disease in Wild Deer
Florida wildlife authorities have confirmed the second case of chronic wasting disease (CWD), commonly known as “zombie deer disease,” in a wild white-tailed deer. The infected doe, a young female, was discovered deceased following a vehicle collision in Holmes County, near the Alabama border, state officials reported on October 17, 2025.
Florida’s initial CWD detection occurred in June 2023, less than a mile from the recent case, marking a critical concern for wildlife management in the region.
Understanding Chronic Wasting Disease and Its Impact
CWD is a fatal neurodegenerative illness affecting cervids, including white-tailed deer, characterized by abnormal prion proteins causing brain damage. The disease is highly contagious among deer populations and currently has no remedy or vaccine. Despite not being known to infect humans, the disease’s transmission dynamics pose significant challenges for wildlife conservation.
Steven Shea, a wildlife biologist overseeing over 500,000 acres of deer habitat in Central Florida, emphasized the severity of CWD, describing it as “possibly the greatest threat to deer populations and hunting traditions across North America.” He noted that containment efforts historically fail to eradicate the disease, focusing instead on slowing its geographic spread.
State Response and Surveillance Efforts
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has enacted an emergency plan, establishing a specialized management zone covering Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. Enhanced surveillance efforts are underway, with testing currently expanding to 90 deer specimens in the affected area.
- Since 2023, hunters in these zones must submit deer carcasses for mandatory CWD testing.
- FWC aims to detect infections early and limit the disease’s spread through these measures.
James Kelly, FWC’s CWD surveillance coordinator, described the state’s testing protocols as “a best-case scenario” that relies heavily on hunter participation to monitor population health.
Biological and Ecological Considerations
CWD progresses slowly, often termed a “silent killer” because infected deer may appear healthy for years before symptoms manifest. Clinical signs include chronic wasting, neurological impairment, excessive salivation, and disorientation. Eventually, severe brain deterioration leads to death.
Florida hosts an estimated deer population of up to 700,000 animals, with approximately 100,000 harvested annually, making white-tailed deer the state’s most hunted species.
According to wildlife experts, declining hunter participation due to concerns over CWD could disrupt crucial population control, potentially increasing vehicle collisions and agricultural damage. Steven Shea cautioned that reduced hunting pressure might allow deer numbers to rise unchecked, exacerbating human-wildlife conflicts while threatening funding streams that rely on hunting licenses.
Additional Resources
For further information on chronic wasting disease, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides comprehensive updates and guidance.
Additional reporting and sources from: Florida Confirms Second Case of ‘Zombie Deer Disease’
