Second Case of Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in Florida Deer

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has detected a second case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) infection in a deer in Holmes County. 

The recent case was a road-killed 1-1/2-year-old doe sampled less than a mile south of Florida’s first CWD case detected in 2023.

Georgia detected their first cases of CWD in early 2025 near the Florida border.

CWD is a contagious disease of the brain and central nervous system that is always fatal to deer.

“The FWC and its agency partners take CWD very seriously and are continuing with their comprehensive response plan with the goal of containing the disease within the area it was detected,” officials said.

Because the second case is close to the original case, there will be no changes to the Management or Enhanced Surveillance Zones. In addition to their statewide CWD testing, FWC will continue with intensive surveillance in these zones to determine the prevalence and distribution of the disease. They will also be increasing surveillance along the Georgia border.  

To report deer that are very thin, sick, or dead of unknown causes please call 866-293-9282 (866-CWD-WATCH).