Yes, This ‘Zombie’ Deer Disease Is Actually Real!

By Orgesta Tolaj

12 June 2024

Could there be a real-life zombie apocalypse brewing in Yellowstone National Park?

Recent reports of a deer discovered in the park dying from a rare “zombie” disease have raised concerns and sparked curiosity among researchers and the public. And now, people are talking about a Zombie Deer Disease.

But, what happened, and how come something like this is possible?

What Is Zombie Deer Disease?

National Geographic describes chronic wasting disease (or Zombie Deer Disease) as a condition that slowly damages the nervous system of animals. This results in symptoms such as motor coordination problems, weight loss, and apathy, likened to a zombie-like state.

Transmission of chronic wasting disease happens through prions, proteins that spread among animals via body fluids. Prions are part of a family of rare neurodegenerative disorders affecting animals. Mule deer’s habit of ingesting soil for minerals increases the ease of transmission. This is because some mouthfuls may contain prions along with minerals.

How Was the Zombie Deer Disease Detected?

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), which has spread to 31 states in the U.S., has now been detected in the deer population of Yellowstone National Park. A mule deer tested positive for the disease, and the U.S. National Park Service estimates that 10-15% of the local deer population may already be infected. This illness gradually debilitates animals. It causes loss of energy and coordination, along with excessive drooling, earning it the nickname “zombie deer disease.”

There is currently no vaccine or treatment available for chronic wasting disease (CWD). It spreads through bodily fluids such as feces, saliva, blood, and urine. Park officials can only monitor and investigate its spread as there is no effective intervention. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that there is no strong evidence of CWD transmission to humans, and it remains uncertain if humans can contract the disease.

Warning to Not Touch the Deer at the Park

An adult mule deer buck died from chronic wasting disease in mid-October, as reported by Yellowstone National Park and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. This is what they had to say:

“The WGFD recently confirmed the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the carcass of an adult mule deer buck found near Yellowstone Lake in the southeastern section of the park. This is the first confirmed positive detection of the disease in Yellowstone National Park.

The mule deer buck was originally captured by WGFD staff near Cody, Wyoming, in March 2023 as part of a population dynamics study and fitted with a GPS collar. The collar signaled the animal died in mid-October 2023. In coordination with Yellowstone staff, WGFD located the carcass on the Promontory, a landmass that separates the South and Southeast arms of Yellowstone Lake, and collected samples for testing. The samples tested positive for CWD based on multiple diagnostic tests performed at WGFD’s Wildlife Health Laboratory.”