ATLANTA — Georgia wildlife officials are sending out a warning after a deer tested positive for what’s called “zombie deer disease.”
Its real name is chronic wasting disease and it is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose.
There is no treatment for the disease and it always leads to the death of the infected animal.
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Officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife Resources said a white-tailed deer in Lanier County tested positive for the disease, the first in Georgia.
“I want to assure our hunters that deer hunting will continue to thrive in Georgia, despite this current discovery,” said Georgia Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Walter Rabon. “By working together with our hunters and all Georgians, we will manage CWD and maintain healthy deer herds. »
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The DNR issued a warning last year when deer in Florida were found to have the disease and could eventually end up in Georgia.
The department said it has prepared a response plan to help contain the disease and is rolling it out in Lanier and Berrien counties.
About the disease:
Chronic wasting disease was first discovered in 1967 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Infected deer often appear completely normal.
Over time, symptoms such as dramatic weight loss, poor physical condition, mild head tremors, and drooping head and ears may occur.
In the later stages, it is not uncommon for the animal to drool excessively.
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So far, positive cases of the disease have been detected in 36 states.
If you observe a deer exhibiting any of these symptoms, please contact your local WRD Game Management office.
It is not yet known that CWD is transmissible to humans, but the Centers for Disease Control says CWD-positive deer should not be consumed.
You can get more information about what Georgia is doing to combat the spread at https://georgiawildlife.com/cwd.
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