The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed the first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Georgia through testing of a hunter-harvested deer in Lanier County.

The positive sample was taken from a two-and-a-half-year-old male white-tailed deer. Following this discovery, the DNR implemented the CWD Response Plan and is collecting more samples from the area. Walter Rabon, the Commissioner of the DNR, assured hunters that deer hunting will still be supported in Georgia while managing CWD effectively.

The DNR has established a CWD Management Area that includes Lanier County and Berrien County, covering a 5-mile radius around the positive sample’s location. The next step is to determine how widespread CWD is in this area by working with landowners to conduct cluster sampling.

CWD is a fatal disease affecting deer, elk, and moose, caused by infectious prions, and it was first reported in 1967 in Colorado. CWD has been detected in 36 states and three Canadian provinces. While there is no evidence that CWD can transmit to humans, the CDC advises hunters in CWD areas to test their game and not consume meat from infected animals.

To help prevent the spread of CWD, it is important not to move live deer, properly dispose of carcasses, and report sick deer to the DNR. The Georgia DNR will keep the public updated with more information about CWD. For further details, visit https://georgiawildlife.com/CWD.