An infectious disease deadly in deer has spread to 24 states, and experts warned that the ailment unofficially dubbed “zombie” deer disease could one day hit humans. Chronic wasting disease, or CWD, has afflicted free-ranging deer, elk and/or moose in 24 states, No cases of CWD have been reported in humans, but studies have shown it can be transmitted to animals other than deer, including primates. For humans, eating infected deer meat would be the most likely way for it to spread to people. The CDC recommended that hunters test deer before eating meat in affected areas. If a deer looks sick or acts strangely, hunters should not shoot or handle it or eat its meat. Zombie Deer Disease has been located in 25 Wisconsin Counties with the closest to the area in Portage County.
