While it might sound like something out of a science fiction movie, Zombie Deer Disease (otherwise known as Chronic Wasting Disease) is very real and very deadly (but only towards deer).
The disease was first discovered in 1967 when scientists came across a sickly mule deer, whose fat seemed to have wasted away, leaving it only skin and bones. The deer died soon after, and it is assumed the disease infected other deer from there. The disease’s symptoms often include dramatic weight loss, listlessness, a lack of appetite and weakness. Eventually, the illness spreads to the brain and kills the deer. Chronic Wasting Disease has a 100% mortality rate, meaning that deer who have this disease always die. The illness is caused by a protein that has been misfolded and causes genetic defects. Scientists also believe that it might have a link to Mad Cow Disease, a disease with similar symptoms but in cows instead of deer.
One of the most terrifying aspects of Zombie Deer Disease is that the illness might be able to spread to humans. Although there are no reported cases of people with that disease, there are suspicions that two hunters may have contracted the illness. Reportedly, two hunters, who had eaten an infected deer, might have experienced symptoms that were similar in nature towards the symptoms of Chronic Wasting Disease. After the pair of hunters passed away, the bones of the deer were examined and the animal was found to have had Zombie Deer Disease. While the cause of the hunters’ deaths is not confirmed, Chronic Wasting Disease could be one of the reasons that these two hunters died.
While the name might not seem very dangerous for humans, Zombie Deer Disease is nothing to scoff at and is very dangerous to people who enjoy hunting. While there is no cure, we can only hope one is developed in the future.
References
Usdise-Ase, Serio. “Chronic Wasting Disease” CDC, CDC, 5/13/24,
www.cdc.gov/chronic-wasting/animals/index.html.
Wilkinson, Todd. “‘Don’t call it zombie deer disease’: scientists warn of ‘global crisis’ as infections spread across the US” The Guardian, Guardian Media Group, 3/20/25,
www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/20/chronic-wasting-disease-spread-zombie-deer-global-us-aoe.
Wilkinson, Todd. “‘Zombie Deer disease’ Epidemic Spreads in Yellowstone as Scientists Raise Fears it may Jump to Humans” The Guardian, Guardian Media Group, 12/22/23,
www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/22/zombie-deer-disease-yellowstone-scientists-fears-fatal-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-jump-species-barrier-humans-aoe.
