What Is Zombie Deer Disease (Chronic Wasting Disease)?

Zombie deer disease, also known as chronic wasting disease, is an infectious condition that primarily occurs in deer and elk. The infection is related to mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), and it can be present in animals for at least one year before symptoms develop. There is no cure for the disease, and the condition is always fatal. Some animals die without ever having displayed any symptoms, and others experience rapid weight loss, lethargy, coordination difficulties, and confusion. As of 2019, twenty-four states in the United States and two Canadian provinces have reported cases of chronic wasting disease in free-range deer and elk.