Second case of chronic wasting disease confirmed in Florida

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed that a road-killed 1.5-year-old female white-tailed deer in Holmes County has tested positive for chronic wasting disease. This is the second confirmed case of CWD in Florida. The deer was sampled as part of the agency’s ongoing response efforts and was found about 0.7 miles from the first case, which was confirmed in June 2023.

CWD is a disease of the brain and central nervous system that is always fatal to deer, elk, moose and caribou. Although there is no conclusive evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends not consuming meat from animals that test positive for CWD or from any sick animal. Hunters can help the FWC monitor this disease by voluntarily submitting deer heads at sample drop box locations or by going to a participating meat processor or taxidermist. The FWC is also asking anyone who sees a sick, abnormally thin deer or finds a deer dead from unknown causes to call the CWD hotline, 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282), and report the animal’s location.

The CWD Management Zone and associated regulations will remain the same, since this second CWD-positive deer was collected near the first.

For more information about CWD, sample-drop off locations and new hunting regulations, visit MyFWC.com/CWD.