Two white-tailed deer in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia recently tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a deadly neurological condition that affects deer and other similar species. The National Park Service (NPS) said that this is the first CWD-positive finding at a national park in West Virginia.
According to an NPS press release, the two deer that tested positive were killed during a routine population reduction effort on the Park Service’s land. Recently, deer with CWD were discovered in the nearby Antietam and Monocacy battlefield parks on the Maryland side of the Potomac River.

According to the National Park Service, Harpers Ferry and other national parks restrict deer numbers to protect and restore native vegetation and historic landscapes.

Chronic wasting sickness, often known as ‘zombie deer disease’, is an ailment that leaves animals bewildered and drooling. It was initially seen at Yellowstone National Park in November of last year.

Misfolded proteins, or prions, are what cause the disease. After infection, prions spread throughout the central nervous system, leaving prion deposits in brain tissues and organs. The condition is known as “zombie deer disease” because it causes deer to slobber, stumble, become lethargic, and stare blankly.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms in deer may take more than a year to develop. It normally begins with the deer losing significant weight, staggering around, and losing all vigour. There is currently no cure or vaccination for CWD.

According to reports, no cases of CWD in humans have ever been recorded. However, other research imply that chronic wasting illness poses a risk to monkeys who consume contaminated animal flesh or come into touch with diseased animal brains or bodily fluids.

Experts have classified CWD as a ”slow-moving tragedy” and strongly advise governments to prepare for the possibility of human transmission.