Science and Health
“Zombie Deer Disease,” officially known as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), has resurfaced in Florida, with health officials confirming new cases among wild deer. This marks the state’s second detection of the fatal neurological disorder.
First identified in Colorado during the 1960s, CWD has since spread across 34 U.S. states—including Florida—as well as Canada and parts of Europe. The 2025 detection signals its further spread into the southeastern United States.
The disease is caused by infectious prions, which are misfolded proteins that damage brain tissue by disrupting normal protein structures. These prions are exceptionally resistant to heat, radiation, and disinfectants, allowing the disease to persist in the environment and making control efforts highly challenging.
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