Dr. Patty Scharko, Extension Ruminant Veterinarian at UK has written the following to help explain not only the
suspected cause of a higher number of deer deaths in Henry County, but also to help cattle producers take some precautions to prevent illness in livestock.
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is common to white-tailed deer, but rarely affects other species. It occurs in
the driest part of the year when conditions are just right for biting gnats, the carriers of the disease.
Numerous cases of deer deaths have been reported in Kentucky in July and August. Recently, some livestock farms have
had cattle affected. Sporadic cases can occur in livestock during an epizootic, usually affecting a single animal in a herd. In affected cattle, they have crusty,
cracked skin on muzzle & udder (muzzles often look like you took a blowtorch and flamed them), fever, +/- diarrhea, and +/- lingual ulcerations. Because these signs
can be similar with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Vesicular Stomatitis (VS), Bluetongue (BT) or EHD, producers should contact their veterinarian for diagnosis and
treatment.
USDA Veterinary Services investigated one farm as a suspect Foreign Animal Disease. Samples were collected in the
field and sent to Plum Island - all were confirmed to be EHD positive and FMD/VS/BT negative.
Most affected cattle recover uneventfully with supportive care, but they do tend to lose several hundred pounds of
weight. During the acute phase of the disease, their feet and mouth are so painful. It is important to bring affected cattle closer to evaluate, feed, and especially
have easy access to water.
Both EHD and bluetongue viruses are spread by the same midge (Culicoides - 3 species), and occasionally the 2 viruses
travel in parallel or series. This is significant because you can't really tell the two viruses apart when they infect deer. Bluetongue in sheep is a serious disease
with high morbidity and, usually, low mortality. Cattle usually show no signs but are the reservoir for the bluetongue virus. Occasionally abortions and other signs
appear in cattle with either virus infection. However, this is not the usual. Producers, especially sheep producers, would be well advised to call their veterinarian
if they see signs of high fever, depression, loss of appetite, and possibly swelling and ulceration of the tongue or mouth (in sheep) in a number of animals.
EHD Details:
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EHD does not affect humans, nor impact the safety of consumed deer.
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EHD is caused by the bite of an infected midge and once there has been a hard freeze, the insects die off for the
winter, eliminating new cases of EHD.
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Most significant disease of white-tailed deer in the United States
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Enzootic to Southeastern United States.
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Outbreaks often associated with drought.
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Can result in high deer mortality in some areas.
EHD Transmission:
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The EHD virus does not appear to be transmissible to humans.
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The virus deteriorates in <24 hours after death and cannot be spread from dead deer carcasses
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The virus does not appear to be a threat to livestock- sporadic cases can occur during an epizootic outbreak.
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There appears to be no risk associated with direct exposure to the virus or in consuming a deer that has been
infected with the virus.
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However, never kill or eat a sick deer.
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Use rubber gloves to field dress deer.
