The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has recently received several reliable reports of sporadic deer mortalities consistent with hemorrhagic disease.
Hemorrhagic disease (HD), caused by a group of related viruses, often results in annual outbreaks in white-tailed deer in the Southeastern U.S., including Virginia. Historically, HD has been more common east of the Blue Ridge than west.
Acute HD outbreaks are often characterized by clusters of otherwise healthy-looking deer being found deceased near water sources, as they seek these areas to cool themselves from fever. A typical case of HD would present as a deceased deer in good body condition found floating in a pond or creek in late summer or early fall, but the spectrum of clinical signs in an individual deer can vary from mild fever to swollen head and neck to difficulty breathing and finally death. Affected deer also often show significant lameness.
The disease is transmitted by biting gnats or midges, resulting in seasonal activity beginning in the late summer and continuing until the first frost kills the insects. Localized outbreaks can result in dozens of deceased deer being found in one area over a short period of time. This can decrease deer numbers in affected areas; however, populations impacted by HD typically bounce back within a few years.
The disease poses no threat to humans or domestic pets; however, ruminant livestock species can contract the viruses. Clinical signs are often mild or absent, and widespread production losses have not been reported in Virginia. Hunters are not at risk from handling or eating venison from infected deer. Even so, deer that act or look obviously sick, either as a result of HD or some other cause, should not be consumed.
If you have observed sick or deceased deer in your area and suspect HD may be the cause, do not attempt to contact, disturb, kill, or remove the animal. Please report the approximate location of the animal to the Wildlife Helpline at (855) 571-9003 or [email protected]. If you send an email, please list the county, the community or area, and the number of deer involved (e.g., six deceased deer along the Big Otter River in the Lowry community of Bedford County). The department annually maintains records of HD mortality reports documenting the location and approximate number of animals involved. Please be advised that the report will not always result in an on-site visit by department staff.
At present, there is nothing that can be done to prevent or control HD. Although deer die-offs due to HD often cause alarm, past experiences have shown that mortality will not decimate local deer populations and the outbreak will be curtailed by the onset of cold weather.
Visit the Department webpage for more information.
