"Georgia Wildlife Officials Gear Up for Deer Disease Threat Ahead of Hunting Season"

Georgia wildlife officials are preparing for the potential spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a deadly deer disease, after a case was discovered in north Florida. The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division has established a response plan that includes intensive testing and limiting the movement of deer within a 5-mile radius of confirmed CWD cases. Hunters are being urged to have their deer carcasses tested and to follow safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease. While CWD does not currently pose a risk to humans or livestock, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against consuming venison from infected animals. Georgia's upcoming deer hunting season begins in September, and officials are taking the threat of CWD seriously to protect the state's deer population and maintain hunting opportunities.