States issue new warnings of ‘zombie’ deer disease

Several states have issued new warnings about an infectious disease that can kill deer as the hunting season begins, USA Today reported Monday.

Wildlife officials in states including Nevada, Iowa, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have either warned hunters about the disease to prevent its spread to their state or confirmed new cases.

{mosads}Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been found in wild deer, elk and moose in 277 counties in 24 states as of August, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The disease affects deer’s brains and spinal cords, leading it to be dubbed the “zombie” deer disease.

There are no vaccines or treatments available for CWD, which is always fatal. 

No cases of the disease spreading to humans have been reported, but regulators are still trying to curb humans from eating the infected meat.