A second case of Chronic Wasting Disease was detected in a deer in Social Circle, Ga.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division said Wednesday that the four-year-old male deer was taken in Berrien County approximately 400 yards from the first CWD-positive deer harvest location. The first case was confirmed in January from a deer found on a property near the Berrien-Lanier county line in South Georgia.
CWD is a neurological disease that is caused by misfolded proteins called prions, according to the DNR. Currently there is no treatment or preventative vaccines.
“Our staff continues to work in collaboration with landowners and hunters in the CWD Management Area to sample for the disease. These collaborative efforts will help us manage CWD and ensure Georgia maintains healthy deer herds,” DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon said.
There is no known transmission of CWD to humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that hunters harvesting a deer, elk, or moose from an area where CWD is known to be present have their animal tested for CWD prior to consuming the meat and do not consume the meat if the animal tests positive.
