Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a threat to the whitetail deer population in Georgia.  While the disease has not been detected in any deer in Georgia, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division officials have already prepared a response plan for handling any future positive cases should the need arise.

“The goal of this response plan is to detect CWD early, determine the prevalence and geographic extent, and minimize the spread,” DNR officials said in a release. “Our team of biologists and technicians have been working hard this year to sample deer to ensure the safety of our herd.”

Symptoms of the disease include weight loss, poor body condition, subtle head tremors, droopy head and droopy ears. Excessive drooling is possible in the late stages of the disease. It should be noted, however, that all of these symptoms can be individually caused by other diseases as well, and CWD testing on the brain or lymph nodes is required to confirm a case.

Were a case ever verified in Georgia, adjustable CWD management zones would be established by the DNR in each county that touches a five-mile radius around any positive case, and increased sampling would be encouraged in the area. Feeding and baiting guidelines would also be possible, as well as structured management of older deer populations.

The DNR asks anyone observing a deer showing these symptoms to contact their local Game Management Office. The Region One office for most of Northwest and West Central Georgia is located at 2650 Floyd Springs Road, in Armuchee and can be reached at 706-295-6041.

Georgia DNR / Rome News Tribune