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First Case of Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Georgia
Wildlife experts are raising alarms following the confirmation of the first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), commonly referred to as “zombie deer disease,” in Georgia.
CWD is a progressive, fatal illness affecting the nervous systems of deer, leading to severe neurological symptoms including significant weight loss and loss of bodily control.
Charlie Killmaster, a deer biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, emphasized the urgency of controlling the disease’s spread, stating, “We would like to contain the spread, it’s very difficult.”
The infected deer was detected in Lanier County, close to Valdosta, during routine testing. For years, the state’s Department of Natural Resources has been testing between 1,000 and 1,500 deer annually to combat the disease.
CWD poses a unique challenge because it can continue to spread even after an infected deer has died, complicating eradication efforts. “Once it gets established in the deer population, it’s almost impossible to get rid of,” Killmaster noted.
The primary method to curb its spread involves restricting the movement of deer and preventing the transportation of infected carcasses to new areas. “The main way we can contain the spread is by not allowing people to move deer from one area to another,” Killmaster explained.
Although CWD has been known to cross species, there is currently no evidence that it can be transmitted to humans, contrasting its infamous counterpart, Mad Cow Disease. “Since 1967, when we discovered the disease, not a single human being has been infected by consuming venison that has ever been documented,” Killmaster affirmed.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against consuming the meat from any deer that tests positive for CWD.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources plans to share information with hunters on how to obtain tests for CWD, as maintaining public awareness will play a crucial role in managing the disease’s impact on local deer populations.
Source
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