Georgia confirms its first case of ‘zombie deer’ disease
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a hunter-harvested deer has tested positive for chronic wasting disease, the first case in Georgia.
The sample was taken from a 2½-year-old male white-tailed deer harvested on private property in Lanier County.
Bird flu discovered in a second Georgia commercial flock
A second commercial case of avian influenza, or the “bird flu,” has been confirmed in northeast Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
The agency is taking additional samples from the area and implementing a response plan.
The fatal neurological disease of deer, elk, and moose is caused by infectious, misfolded proteins called prions, the same type of problem that causes mad cow disease.
In fact, the ailment – nicknamed “zombie deer” disease – is like a deer version of mad cow disease.
It was first discovered in 1967 in Colorado, and there are no current treatments or preventive vaccines.
Cases in deer, elk and/or moose have been reported in 36 states and three Canadian provinces.
There is no known transmission to humans. However, if deer, elk or moose are harvested from an area where the disease has been found, experts say hunters should have the animal tested for CWD before eating the meat.
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Most of the snow and ice are gone, but slick spots linger on roadways across the region.
“I want to assure our hunters that deer hunting will continue to thrive in Georgia, despite this current discovery,” said Walter Rabon, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “Working together with our hunters and all Georgians, we will manage CWD and maintain healthy deer herds.”
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