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	va1-sg19016.securesites.net

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Common deer virus found in southern Ohio cattle populations

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Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) officials today [30 Aug 2007] 

confirmed the discovery of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) -- a 

common white-tailed deer virus -- in 2 Pike County cattle farms. This 

marks the state's 1st-ever case of the virus in cattle, but officials 

stress that it poses no threat to human health or to the safety of 

meat consumption.



The ODA Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Reynoldsburg 

confirmed EHD in cattle populations in southern Ohio. The virus, 

which has been found in several surrounding states, occurs annually 

in deer herds across North America but is less common in cattle. In 

the Pike County cattle, officials identified a wild strain of the EHD 

virus, which will run its course much like the common flu. In deer, 

EHD is typically fatal.



Both cattle and deer contract EHD from gnats or biting flies. The 

virus cannot be spread from animal to animal or from animal to 

humans. Insects, however, can contract the virus from infected deer 

or cattle and pass it on to surrounding populations. This summer's 

[2007] drought has forced animals and insects to common watering 

spots, increasing the spread of EHD. Typically, the onset of cold 

weather suppresses the disease as frosts drive insects into winter inactivity.



Although test results have not confirmed the southern Ohio deer 

population has been infected with EHD, the Ohio Department of Natural 

Resources will continue to monitor and test deer in this area for the virus.



According to the University of Georgia's annual Southeastern 

Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, EHD is the most common ailment 

affecting deer in the Eastern United States. Outbreaks of the disease 

have occurred in Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, 

Virginia, and West Virginia this year [2007]. The most recent Ohio 

outbreaks occurred in 2003 in Clermont and Brown counties. The 

disease is common in portions of the northern Great Plains and the 

southeastern United States. It was 1st identified in 1955 in New 

Jersey. Mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope are 

also susceptible to the disease.



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[Cattle populations having EHD without the deer in the area having 

the disease is very unusual. Ohio has a number of captive cervid 

herds and often they are the 1st to report the deaths. It would be 

nice if we had more insight into how the DNR is conducting their surveillance.



Other countries have EHD in cattle on a more regular basis than is 

found in the US.



in rumination, a decrease in milk production, weakness, dyspnea, and 

fever. There is often a clear to purulent nasal discharge, 

salivation, and redness of the nose and lip region. These may be dry 

and scaly as well. The tongue may be swollen and have erosions. When 

one sees signs of anorexia, and erosions on the tongue, it is easy to 

understand why it would be a differential for foot-and-mouth disease 

virus. Other clinical signs include conjunctival hyperemia, lameness 

and/or a stiff gate, muscle tremors, and often recumbency with a 

reluctance to move. Not all clinical signs may be present in any one 

herd. The clinical disease is variable and may last from a few days 

to as long as 2 weeks. - Mod.TG



Pike County, Ohio in the Midwestern United States, can be located on the map at



Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (multistate) (02) 20070825.2796

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (multistate) 20070821.2739

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (KY) 20070818.2701

2006

----

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cattle - Israel, serotype 7 20061215.3525

serotyped 20061214.3513

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (IN) 20061101.3132

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (MI) 20061014.2949

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (WY) 20060930.2803

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (TX) (03) 20060930.2801

...................................tg/mj/dk