EHD Possible in Putnam County

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is an orbivirus that infects White Tailed Deer in the northeastern and Mid-Western United States.

Yesterday I came across a post on the Willowpine Facebook page about EHD. It was written by one of our staffers Carl Etienne. Carl reported that he had came across 2 deer that looked to possibly be the victim of EHD. One buck that was dead, and a doe that he almost walked right on top of.  His description below... 


"EHD has shown it self in Putnam county. I found a dead buck on the property I hunt last night. I went out this morning and almost stepped on a doe that was sick she got up slowly and did not run but walked across the creek. She ended up laying down on the other side of the creek just 20 yards from me." -Carl Etienne (Willowpine Outdoors)


My first reaction was some sort of natural death on the buck, and possible lack of water on the lethargic doe. However I know the property he hunts as Big Walnut Creek running right through it. As well there is a private lake on the adjoining property. This may all lead to EHD.   

Dead Buck Carl Found

According to the Wiki, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease is an orbivirus that infects White-Tailed Deer in the northeastern and midwestern United States. The virus is transmitted by the Culicoides biting midge. The EHD virus is closely related to the Bluetongue virus and crossreacts with it on many blood tests. The virus has an incubation period of approximately one week, during which the animal may transmit the virus to biting midges. After the development of symptoms the animal dies within 8-36 hours.  This is not to be confused with the brain disease of CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) which luckily has never been found in Indiana. (More info on CWD http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-CWD_FAQSheet.pdf ).


The symptoms can be different depending on the virulence of the virus as well as the resistance of the deer's immune system. Here are some symptoms, details, and transmission information.


EHD Symptoms
- The deer are acting feverish or depressed
- Have swelling of the neck, head, tongue, and eyelids.

- May have respiratory distress or shortness of breathe.
- Internal hemorrhaging (bleeding).
- Death (often found near water).
- Survivors may exhibit evidence of lesions in mouth and in rumen lining.
- Sloughing hooves (often found during fall hunting harvests).


EHD Details you should know.
- EHD does not affect humans, nor impact the safety of consumed deer. 
- 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.
- Outbreaks are often associated with droughts.
- Can result in high deer mortality rates in some areas (Usually <25%, but up to 50% in some cases).


EHD Transmission
- EHD virus is not transmissible to humans.
- The virus deteriorates in <24 hours after death and  cannot be spread from dead deer carcasses.
- The virus does not appear to be a threat to livestock.
- 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.
- To be on the safe side, never kill or eat a sick deer.
- Use rubber gloves to field dress deer. 


Carl reported the dead buck to the DNR, and hopes to obtain some information from the DNR soon. If you have found dead deer, or have noticed deer behaving with the above symptoms, then please contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources or your areas wildlife biologist. According to IDNR.gov there is no program at the current time to combat the disease, but it is requested that you report. The DNR phone number is (317) 232-4200, or you can visit the DNR Fish and Wildlife webpage at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5454.htm.  
For more information on Indiana EHD view the IDNR FAQ Sheet:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-EHDFaqSheet.pdf

-Joey W. Buttram - Willowpine Outdoors


References:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-EHDFaqSheet.pdf
http://fw.ky.gov/ehdinfo.asp
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12150-26647--,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epizootic_Hemorrhagic_Disease