Chronic wasting disease (CWD), also known as “zombie deer disease,” has been detected in Adams County, marking a significant expansion of the disease’s geographic presence in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced the detection on Friday.
The disease is an always-fatal neurological disorder that affects white-tailed deer in Illinois. First reported in 2002 near Roscoe, CWD has since spread to 25 counties across northern Illinois and now extends as far south as Adams County.
According to state officials, routine surveillance of hunter-harvested deer led to the detection of CWD in Putnam, Marshall, and Adams counties in February 2025. Genetic testing confirmed the presence of the disease in these counties, which are now part of a growing list of affected areas.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is taking steps to manage the spread of CWD, with a primary goal of lowering prevalence in affected areas. The state has been recognized as a national leader in managing and slowing the spread of the disease, with its program serving as a model for other states.
While the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not linked CWD to human transmission, they advise against eating meat from infected deer. Hunters are encouraged to have their deer tested and avoid consuming high-risk tissues.
Source: https://www.wgem.com/2025/04/11/zombie-deer-disease-detected-adams-county