The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division has received notification of a preliminary positive Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) test result for a deer in Atkinson County. (For reference, Atkinson County is roughly 260 miles from Chattooga County.)

The deer was collected for disease monitoring for CWD and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and was found near the Berrien County line, about 14 miles from the nearest known CWD-positive deer location.

“We applaud hunters and private landowners for their efforts so far this season with submitting samples and staying vigilant for signs of the disease. This continued partnership will help us continue to manage CWD in the state and ensure a healthy deer herd,” said DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon.

In January 2025, Georgia confirmed its first positive case of CWD in a hunter-harvested deer from the Lanier/Berrien County line. After that detection, Georgia DNR launched its CWD Response Plan and created the CWD Management Area (CMA). With this latest preliminary-positive sample, Atkinson County has been added to the CMA, which also includes Berrien, Lanier, and Lowndes counties. Since the first finding, 398 samples have been submitted from the CMA counties, with nine total positive samples.

Georgia DNR encourages hunters in the CMA to take harvested deer to free sampling locations, including new sites in Atkinson County and surrounding counties. Results for deer in the CMA are expected to take 2–6 weeks, and testing location information and results are posted at GeorgiaWildlife.com/CWD.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk, and moose, caused by infectious proteins called prions. There are no treatments or preventative vaccines. While there is no known transmission of CWD to humans, the CDC recommends having animals tested in known CWD areas and not consuming meat from an animal that tests positive.