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EPIZOOTIC HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE, CERVIDS - USA (MULTISTATE) (07)

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[1] New Jersey

[2] Ohio

[3] Illinois



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[1] New Jersey





A warning is going out to hunters in New Jersey after an outbreak of 

a rare, deadly virus affecting the area deer population.



An outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in wild 

white-tailed deer, caused by an RNA virus transmitted by biting 

midges, began in the last week of August and 1st week of September 2007.



According to animal wildlife officials, 15 deer were reportedly found 

north of Amwell Road, west of Millstone in Hillsborough Township, 

Somerset County. On 12 Sep 2007, 8 deer were discovered in Royce 

Brook. Twelve deer deaths were reported along the Manatico River 

drainage in Cumberland County and 6 dead deer were found in a nearby 

drainage of Mud Creek North of Union Lake in Pittsgrove Township.



When a deer is bitten by an infected midge, the virus causes blood 

clots and damage to the linings of the blood vessels, causing leakage 

of serum and hemorrhages. Deer who do survive the infection may 

develop ridges or bands on the hooves, and, in more severe chronic 

cases, they may slough the hooves and develop secondary infections, 

becoming lame and emaciated.



The Office of Wildlife Health and Forensics [OFWHF] and deer project 

personnel are investigating the findings.



Any deer with no apparent wounds found dead in or near water should 

be suspect EHD cases, and the OFWHF should be notified by calling 908-735-6398.





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[2] Ohio





State wildlife officials have confirmed a localized outbreak of a 

common white-tailed deer virus in southeastern Highland County's 

Brush Creek Township.



Suspect cases have been reported in the southeastern Ohio counties of 

Athens, Hocking, Pike, Washington, Muskingum, Perry, Morgan, Gallia, 

Monroe, Ross, Belmont and Jackson.



Ohio Department of Agriculture's Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory 

in Reynoldsburg confirmed the deer had epizootic hemorrhagic disease 

(EHD). State animal health officials stress EHD occurs annually in 

deer herds across North America and is not related to Chronic Wasting Disease.



White-tailed deer contract EHD from the bite of gnats, which live 

near water. The onset of cold weather suppresses the disease, as 

frosts drive the gnats into winter inactivity.



The disease is not spread from deer to deer or from deer to humans. 

Once infected, deer show signs within 5 to 10 days.



Infected deer initially lose appetite and fear of humans, grow 

progressively weaker, often salivate excessively, and become 

unconscious. Many deer die within 36 hours of the onset of symptoms.



"Gnats can also spread EHD among cattle and sheep, and outbreaks may 

happen at the same time as deer are being impacted. However, this is 

not a case of the disease spreading from deer to livestock or vice 

versa, but is an indication that the biting gnats are present in 

large enough numbers to spread the disease," said Mark Hemming, 

Wildlife Management Supervisor.



State wildlife officials stress to those planning to hunt in the 

Highland County area or any of the suspected counties this fall that 

although this disease does not affect humans or impact the safety of 

consumed deer, hunters should report deer that appear to be sick or 

diseased to their local wildlife officer. Deer that appear unhealthy 

should never be taken for human food.



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.



White-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep and pronghorn 

antelope are susceptible to the disease.



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[3] Illinois





An outbreak of an acute, infectious virus that kills white-tailed 

deer has been detected in Illinois, the state Departments of 

Agriculture and Natural Resources reported.



Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, an often-fatal virus that causes high 

fever and severe internal bleeding, has been confirmed in captive 

deer herds in Franklin and Randolph counties. It also is the 

suspected cause of death in wild deer in at least 28 counties 

throughout central and southern Illinois.



"One farm, in particular, has been devastated," said Dr. Colleen 

O'Keefe, IDOA division manager of Food Safety and Animal Protection. 

"The farm, located in Franklin County, has lost 16 of its 20 deer."



EHD poses no risk to humans, according to Dr. O'Keefe. Other wild 

ruminants also are susceptible, including elk, mule deer, pronghorn 

antelope and bighorn sheep. Domestic animals, such as livestock, may 

become infected, but rarely exhibit signs of the disease or develop 

serious illness.



EHD is spread by biting midges or by gnats. The midges transmit the 

virus from infected to uninfected animals as they feed. There 

currently is neither a vaccine nor an effective treatment for the disease.



"The only viable way to control the virus is to control the insect 

population," Dr. O'Keefe said. "Short of spraying for insects, 

there's nothing much a landowner can do to prevent the disease, other 

than wait for cold weather."



EHD outbreaks typically begin in late summer or early fall and end 

with an insect-killing frost. The deaths this year [2007] were 1st 

reported in late August 2007. Officials believe the dry summer in 

central and southern Illinois, where the cases are concentrated, has 

contributed to the current outbreak.



"When shallow ponds and creek beds dry up, conditions are good for 

hatches of disease-carrying insects," said Dr. Paul Shelton, Illinois 

Department of Natural Resources Forest Wildlife Program manager. 

"Then, as summer progresses, deer tend to become more concentrated 

around watering holes, facilitating the spread of the disease."



EHD was 1st identified in 1955 when several hundred white-tailed deer 

died in both Michigan and New Jersey. Since then, cases have been 

documented throughout much of the United States and southern Canada. 

The last significant outbreak in Illinois occurred in 2004, although 

a few cases normally are observed in any given year.



Symptoms develop about 7 days after exposure to the virus and include 

loss of appetite, excessive salivation, muscle weakness, lameness, 

depression and a rapid pulse and respiration rate. In very acute 

cases of the disease, animals enter a "shock-like" state, become 

prostrate and die within 8 to 36 hours after the onset of signs.



Farmers with ill deer should not assume the animals are infected with 

EHD, even if they are exhibiting classic symptoms. A veterinarian 

should be called to give the deer a check-up. If the animal dies, the 

Illinois Department of Agriculture's animal disease laboratories in 

Centralia and Galesburg will perform a post-mortem exam to determine 

the cause of death. The fee for this exam ranges from USD 40 to 100, 

depending upon the level of testing that is required.



Landowners or hunters who witness a deer exhibiting signs of EHD, 

especially near a creek or pond, can assist agency efforts to monitor 

the extent of the disease by reporting it to IDNR Deer Project 

Manager Tom Micetich at (309) 543-3316, ext. 231.



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[EHD can and does spread to other animals, including bovines (see 



Clinical signs in cattle of anorexia, decrease in rumination and milk 

production, salivation and nasal discharge, weakness, and erosions on 

the tongue may be present. Not all clinical signs may be present at 

once but clearly should cause someone to have foot and mouth disease 

on the rule out list.



In deer, these sudden deaths may also cause one to put anthrax on 

their rule out list. Clearly, it is important to stay vigilant and to 

know what disease caused the animal's deaths. - Mod.TG]



Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (multistate) (06) 20070927.3198

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (multistate) (05) 20070923.3158

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (multistate) (04) 20070916.3081

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (multistate) (03) 20070911.3010

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]

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