Augusta, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed the first positive case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the state, marking a significant development in the ongoing battle against the fatal neurological disorder affecting deer, elk, and moose. The announcement came on Wednesday, revealing that the positive sample was taken from a two-and-a-half-year-old male white-tailed deer harvested by hunters on private property in Lanier County.

CWD is caused by prions, infectious misfolded proteins that lead to the progressive degeneration of the nervous system in affected animals. There are no known treatments or vaccines for the disease, which has raised concerns about the long-term impact on wildlife populations. The positive test result was confirmed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories, prompting immediate action from the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).

In response, the WRD has implemented a response plan and initiated a cluster sampling effort in the surrounding area, which includes Lanier and Berrien counties. The goal is to determine the extent of the disease’s spread and assess how many deer in the region may be infected. This approach is critical in understanding how far CWD may have infiltrated Georgia’s deer population.

DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon sought to reassure hunters and the public that the discovery would not significantly disrupt deer hunting in Georgia. “I want to assure our hunters that deer hunting will continue to thrive in Georgia, despite this current discovery,” Rabon stated. “Working together with our hunters and all Georgians, we will manage CWD and maintain healthy deer herds.”

Although CWD is not known to transmit to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised hunters harvesting deer, elk, or moose in areas where CWD is present to have the animals tested for the disease before consuming the meat. The CDC further recommends that hunters avoid eating meat from any animal that tests positive for CWD.

The DNR is urging the public to take action to help prevent the spread of CWD. Among the recommendations, hunters are asked to report any sick-appearing deer to the DNR’s Game Management Offices. The agency also advises against moving deer carcasses or waste materials between different locations and warns that importing live deer into Georgia is illegal. The DNR encourages hunters to debone their meat, clean skull plates, and remove all soft tissue from skull mounts.

As part of its continued efforts to mitigate the spread of the disease, the DNR has reinforced its stance on the illegal importation of whole deer carcasses or deer heads from out-of-state. Anyone who witnesses the illegal importation of live deer is encouraged to contact the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division.

Symptoms of CWD in deer include significant weight loss, poor body condition, subtle head tremors, drooping heads and ears, and excessive drooling. The DNR urges anyone observing these signs to report the deer to local authorities immediately.

With this confirmation of CWD in Georgia, the state joins a growing list of regions across the United States grappling with the spread of the disease. The DNR’s proactive response will be crucial in minimizing its impact on local wildlife and the state’s deer hunting industry.