Indiana Confirms 3 Cases of ‘Zombie Deer Disease’

Chronic wasting disease confirmed in Indiana deer across multiple counties Indiana Department of Natural Resources officials have confirmed three positive cases of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer during the 2025-2026 hunting season. The cases were identified in Noble, Franklin, and Rush counties, according to an announcement made Monday morning. Chronic wasting disease, often referred to as zombie deer disease, is a fatal neurological disorder affecting cervids including white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. The condition is caused by misfolded prion proteins that accumulate in the brain and nervous system, leading to progressive weight loss, behavioral changes, loss of coordination, and ultimately death. Transmission occurs through direct animal-to-animal contact or indirectly via contaminated environments where infectious prions can persist for years. The Indiana DNR maintains ongoing surveillance for chronic wasting disease through year-round tissue sampling of hunter-harvested and reported sick or dead deer. When a positive case is detected, the agency implements specific management responses based on the location relative to existing disease areas. In response to the Noble County detection—located at the edge of Indiana’s previously established chronic wasting disease positive area—the DNR expanded the designated positive zone. The current CWD Positive Area now includes LaGrange, Steuben, DeKalb, Noble, Allen, and Whitley counties, all situated in the state’s northwestern corner. Franklin County has been incorporated into the CWD Enhanced Surveillance Zone, which as well covers Dearborn, Ripley, Decatur, Shelby, Rush, Hancock, and Henry counties in the Greater Cincinnati region. Further southern counties including Gibson, Posey, and Vanderburgh remain under enhanced surveillance due to proximity to known cases in neighboring states. While chronic wasting disease has been detected in free-ranging deer across more than 30 states, there have been no reported cases of natural transmission to humans. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, noting that although no human infections have been documented, the disease’s relationship to other zoonotic prion disorders warrants ongoing caution. The Indiana DNR emphasizes the vital role hunters play in disease monitoring efforts. Biologists recommend that hunters harvesting deer in surveillance zones have their animals tested for chronic wasting disease prior to consumption and follow standard safety precautions when handling carcasses, including avoiding animals exhibiting abnormal behavior. Ongoing testing and surveillance remain critical to understanding the disease’s distribution and informing management strategies aimed at slowing its spread within Indiana’s deer population. For the most current information on affected areas and testing locations, residents are encouraged to consult the Indiana Department of Natural Resources chronic wasting disease dashboard and official resources.