Spread of Zombie Deer Disease: New Cases Detected in North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Yellowstone National Park

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has confirmed the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a white-tailed deer harvested in Franklin County, marking the first detection of the disease in the county. CWD is transmissible to other deer and spreads through infected bodily fluids and carcasses. The NCWRC urges hunters to take precautions when handling deer carcasses to prevent the spread of the disease. The agency is collecting data to determine the extent of CWD in the state and encourages hunters to submit samples for testing. Hunters should follow specific guidelines for carcass disposal and be aware that CWD could be present anywhere in the state.