Second case of chronic wasting disease confirmed in Georgia
The four-and-a-half-year-old male deer was taken in Berrien County around 400 yards from the first CWD-positive deer's harvest location.
The first positive case of chronic wasting disease in Georgia was confirmed in late January by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). That sample was taken from a two-and-a-half-year-old male white-tailed deer from private property in Lanier County.
The fatal neurological disease has no current treatments or preventative vaccines. CWD affects deer, elk and moose and is caused by infectious, misfolded proteins called prions.
DNR established a management area following the first positive case which included Lanier and Berrien counties to determine how far CWD could have spread and what percent of deer in the area are positive. Since the second deer was found in Berrien County, DNR said they will continue to monitor the same management area.
The second deer was reportedly taken by a landowner permittee assisting with ongoing sampling as part of DNR's CWD response plan, a DNR press release said.
DNR said to keep prevalence low, additional deer are also harvested around each CWD detection since they are most likely to have been in contact with the positive deer.
The disease will steadily spread if left unmanaged, DNR reported.
'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,' said DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon.
While there is no known transmission of CWD to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that hunters harvesting deer, elk or moose from an area where CWD is known to be present have their animal tested. DNR said that the CDC suggests hunters do this before consuming the meat and to not consume the meat if the animal tests positive.
Here's what DNR is saying you could do to help slow the spread of CWD:
Report sick-appearing deer to the DNR's Game Management Offices at https://georgiawildlife.com/about/contact
Don't move deer waste carcass parts from one area to another, leave them where the deer was killed or end up in a landfill for household waste.
Never import live deer into Georgia. Importing live deer of any species into Georgia is illegal.
Report any importation of live deer to DNR's Law Enforcement Division (1-800-241-4113).
Debone meat, clean skull plates, remove all soft tissue from skull mounts.
Never bring whole deer carcasses or deer heads into Georgia from out of state. It is illegal.
If you witness a deer with any of these symptoms, report it to your local office:
dramatic weight loss or wasting
poor body condition
subtle head tremors
head and ear dropping
excessive drooling
For more information on Chronic Wasting Disease, visit https://georgiawildlife.com/CWD.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Newsweek
Disease Outbreak Among Sea Lions Could Spread to Pets
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Sea lions off the coast in California are contracting a kidney disease that has arrived earlier than expected, raising concerns about transmission to humans and pets. Newsweek has reached out to the Marine Mammal Center (MMC) for comment via email on Sunday. Why It Matters Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that attacks the kidneys, can cause severe illness or death in animals. Infected sea lions are often spotted drinking water, a rare behavior since they normally get hydration from food, signaling their kidneys are not functioning properly, according to the MMC. It's not rare for sea lions to contract it, often appearing in about four-year cycles. Humans and other animals can also contract it, with untreated cases leading to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, trouble breathing, and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What To Know Sea lions across California's coast have contracted Leptospirosis in recent days, with at least 100 infected this month, per the MMC. According to ABC 7, the outbreak began along the California Central Coast and has appeared in more northern counties. The disease most oftenspreads through urine of infected animals. "This is a zoonotic disease. So, it can be spread to humans and dogs. We are especially concerned in this area of spread to your pet," Giancarlo Rulli, associate director of public relations for the MMC, told ABC 7 on Friday. The CDC estimates there are around 1 million annual Leptospirosis cases in humans around the world, resulting in about 60,000 deaths. Sea lions diagnosed with leptospirosis are recommended to be treated with antibiotics. However, even with treatment, around two-thirds of them with acute leptospirosis do not survive, according to the MMC. Sea lions crowd onto rafts along Pier 39 on May 23, 2024, in San Francisco. Sea lions crowd onto rafts along Pier 39 on May 23, 2024, in San Francisco. Liu Guanguan/China News Service/VCG via AP What People Are Saying Giancarlo Rulli, associate director of public relations for the MMC, said on Friday: "To have basically very large outbreak with right now with no end in sight, beginning six-to-eight weeks plus earlier than what we are historically used to, is something that has our collective attention right now." The MMC wrote in an August 13 X post: "Since July, we've rescued an unprecedented number of sea lions suffering from #leptospirosis. This potentially deadly kidney infection can transmit easily between these animals and dog." What Happens Next? The disease is expected to continue spreading among sea lions, with ongoing concern it could infecthumans or pets. Health experts advise people taking their dogs and pets to the beach to keep them on leashes, to prevent them from getting too close to marine life.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Senegal's ‘schools for husbands' aim to shift gender roles and keep mothers from dying
Senegal School For Husbands DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — On a recent evening in Senegal 's capital of Dakar, an imam named Ibrahima Diane explained to a group of men why they should be more involved in household chores. 'The Prophet himself says a man who does not help support his wife and children is not a good Muslim,' the 53-year-old said, as he described bathing his baby and helping his wife with other duties. Some of the 14 men chuckled, not quite sold. Others applauded. Diane was taking part in a 'school for husbands,' a United Nations-backed initiative where respected male community members learn about 'positive masculinity' in health and social issues and promote them in their communities. In Senegal, as in many other West African countries with large rural or conservative populations, men often have the final say in major household decisions, including ones related to health. Women may need their permission for life-changing decisions on accessing family planning or other reproductive health services, along with hospital deliveries or prenatal care. Following his sessions at the school for husbands, Diane regularly holds sermons during Friday prayers where he discusses issues around gender and reproductive health, from gender-based violence to fighting stigma around HIV. 'Many women appreciate my sermons," he said. 'They say their husbands' behavior changed since they attended them." He said some men have told him the sermons inspired them to become more caring husbands and fathers. Habib Diallo, a 60-year-old former army commando, said attending the sermons and discussions with the imam taught him about the risks of home births. 'When my son's wife was pregnant, I encouraged him to take her to the hospital for the delivery,' Diallo said. 'At first, he was hesitant. He worried about the cost and didn't trust the hospital. But when I explained how much safer it would be for both his wife and the baby, he agreed.' No more barking orders The program launched in Senegal in 2011 but in recent years has caught the attention of the Ministry of Women, Family, Gender and Child Protection, which sees it an effective strategy to combat maternal and infant mortality. 'Without men's involvement, attitudes around maternal health won't change," said 54-year-old Aida Diouf, a female health worker who collaborates with the program. Many husbands prefer their wives not be treated by male health workers, she said. The classes for husbands follow similar efforts in other African countries, particularly Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso, where the United Nations Population Fund says it improved women's access to reproductive health services by increasing male involvement, growing the use of contraceptives by both men and women and expanding access to prenatal care and skilled birth attendants. Discussions for men also have focused on girls' rights, equality and the harmful effects of female genital mutilation. The program now operates over 20 schools in Senegal, and over 300 men have been trained. In some communities, men who once enforced patriarchal norms now promote gender equality, which has led to a reduction in the number of forced marriages and more acceptance of family planning, according to Senegal's ministry of gender. Men join the groups after being recruited based on trust, leadership and commitment. Candidates must be married, respected locally and supportive of women's health and rights. After training, the men act as peer educators, visiting homes and hosting informal talks. 'My husband used to not do much around the house, just bark orders. Now he actually cooks and helps out with daily tasks,' said Khary Ndeye, 52. Still too many dying in childbirth While maternal and infant deaths in Senegal have declined over the past decade, experts say it still has a long way to go. It recorded 237 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in 2023, while 21 newborns out of every 1,000 died within their first month. The U.N. globally wants to reduce maternal deaths to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births and newborn deaths to under 12 per 1,000 by 2030. One key problem was that many women have been giving birth at home, said El Hadj Malick, one of the Senegal program's coordinators. 'By educating men about the importance of supporting their wives during pregnancy, taking them to the hospital and helping with domestic work at home, you're protecting people's health,' Malick said. He said he still experiences difficulty changing mindsets on some issues. 'When we just talk to them about gender, there is sometimes tension because it's seen as something abstract or even foreign,' Malick said. Some men mistakenly believe such talk will promote LGBTQ+ issues, which remain largely taboo in much of West Africa. "But when we focus on women's right to be healthy, it puts a human face on the concept and its becomes universal,' Malick said. ___ For more on Africa and development: ___ The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
a day ago
- Associated Press
Senegal's ‘schools for husbands' aim to shift gender roles and keep mothers from dying
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — On a recent evening in Senegal 's capital of Dakar, an imam named Ibrahima Diane explained to a group of men why they should be more involved in household chores. 'The Prophet himself says a man who does not help support his wife and children is not a good Muslim,' the 53-year-old said, as he described bathing his baby and helping his wife with other duties. Some of the 14 men chuckled, not quite sold. Others applauded. Diane was taking part in a 'school for husbands,' a United Nations-backed initiative where respected male community members learn about 'positive masculinity' in health and social issues and promote them in their communities. In Senegal, as in many other West African countries with large rural or conservative populations, men often have the final say in major household decisions, including ones related to health. Women may need their permission for life-changing decisions on accessing family planning or other reproductive health services, along with hospital deliveries or prenatal care. Following his sessions at the school for husbands, Diane regularly holds sermons during Friday prayers where he discusses issues around gender and reproductive health, from gender-based violence to fighting stigma around HIV. 'Many women appreciate my sermons,' he said. 'They say their husbands' behavior changed since they attended them.' He said some men have told him the sermons inspired them to become more caring husbands and fathers. Habib Diallo, a 60-year-old former army commando, said attending the sermons and discussions with the imam taught him about the risks of home births. 'When my son's wife was pregnant, I encouraged him to take her to the hospital for the delivery,' Diallo said. 'At first, he was hesitant. He worried about the cost and didn't trust the hospital. But when I explained how much safer it would be for both his wife and the baby, he agreed.' No more barking orders The program launched in Senegal in 2011 but in recent years has caught the attention of the Ministry of Women, Family, Gender and Child Protection, which sees it an effective strategy to combat maternal and infant mortality. 'Without men's involvement, attitudes around maternal health won't change,' said 54-year-old Aida Diouf, a female health worker who collaborates with the program. Many husbands prefer their wives not be treated by male health workers, she said. The classes for husbands follow similar efforts in other African countries, particularly Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso, where the United Nations Population Fund says it improved women's access to reproductive health services by increasing male involvement, growing the use of contraceptives by both men and women and expanding access to prenatal care and skilled birth attendants. Discussions for men also have focused on girls' rights, equality and the harmful effects of female genital mutilation. The program now operates over 20 schools in Senegal, and over 300 men have been trained. In some communities, men who once enforced patriarchal norms now promote gender equality, which has led to a reduction in the number of forced marriages and more acceptance of family planning, according to Senegal's ministry of gender. Men join the groups after being recruited based on trust, leadership and commitment. Candidates must be married, respected locally and supportive of women's health and rights. After training, the men act as peer educators, visiting homes and hosting informal talks. 'My husband used to not do much around the house, just bark orders. Now he actually cooks and helps out with daily tasks,' said Khary Ndeye, 52. Still too many dying in childbirth While maternal and infant deaths in Senegal have declined over the past decade, experts say it still has a long way to go. It recorded 237 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in 2023, while 21 newborns out of every 1,000 died within their first month. The U.N. globally wants to reduce maternal deaths to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births and newborn deaths to under 12 per 1,000 by 2030. One key problem was that many women have been giving birth at home, said El Hadj Malick, one of the Senegal program's coordinators. 'By educating men about the importance of supporting their wives during pregnancy, taking them to the hospital and helping with domestic work at home, you're protecting people's health,' Malick said. He said he still experiences difficulty changing mindsets on some issues. 'When we just talk to them about gender, there is sometimes tension because it's seen as something abstract or even foreign,' Malick said. Some men mistakenly believe such talk will promote LGBTQ+ issues, which remain largely taboo in much of West Africa. 'But when we focus on women's right to be healthy, it puts a human face on the concept and its becomes universal,' Malick said. ___ For more on Africa and development: ___ The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
