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Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass is warning West Virginia 

sheep and cattle farmers to be on the lookout for signs of epizootic 

hemorrhagic disease (EHD), which has been observed in cattle in Ohio 

and West Virginia, although confirmatory testing is not yet complete.



It can also be contracted by sheep and has been observed in deer in 

numerous states. However, the disease is spread by the bite of 

blood-feeding midges (a gnat-like fly) not by animal-to-animal 

transmission. Because of the similarity of signs, EHD is sometimes 

mistaken for or misidentified as the more serious bluetongue, 

although sheep are rarely symptomatic with exposure to the EHD virus 

as they are with bluetongue.



Signs of the disease include hemorrhage and ulcers in the mouth, 

tongue hanging out constantly, excessive salivation, cloudy nasal 

discharge, lameness and poor appetite. Coupled with environmental 

stress, EHD is thought capable of causing spontaneous abortion of 

calves and death of mature cattle.



"There is no direct treatment for EHD, and we are advising farmers to 

provide supportive therapy for sick animals and to step up insect 

control around their herds," said Commissioner Douglass. "This has 

been a particularly bad year, but the 1st hard frost should kill off 

the gnats and bring an end to this outbreak."



Supportive therapies include extra food and water, medication and 

intravenous fluids. Farmers are encouraged to consult their local 

veterinarians for assistance in maintaining sick animals.



Anyone with sick cattle or sheep is asked to report it to the West 

Virginia Department of Agriculture's (WVDA) Animal Health Division at 

304-558-2214. Animal Health staff can also answer questions about 

sampling and testing for EHD.



--



[Since tests are pending, perhaps we will have an authoritative 

report on which type of EHD has spilled over into cattle in several 

states, a not unexpected development. - Mod.TG]



Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (multistate)(07) 20071001.3248

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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