pennsylvania deer dying

[conedoggy]

anyone hear about the disease killing possible thousands of deer in the south west corner of the state. ehd i believe its called. spread by bugs.

[varmint101]

Yes, EHD or Blue Tongue which is spread by midges which I believe are those little black gnat flies.

Indiana has been having outbreaks since August and Kentucky and Tennessee are getting hit very hard apparently.  I saw where they may lose 40-50% of the herd in some areas.  It's normal farther south, but they are immune to it so when it gets north and hits our deer it hits hard because there is no immunity

[MJB]

Yep Blue Tongue

[dannyvp]

Killin them down south by the hand full to.

[hockeyref]

Gee, Ain't that wonderful seeing how I like in the middle of Westmoreland county - 35 miles SE of Pittsburgh and huntin the SW corner of the state...

What should we be looking for in infected deer? looks like I gotta email a biologist I know...

[wango]

Same thing is going on in Ohio . We had this a few years back and found alot of nice bucks dead then and it's happening again . They say the first hard frost kills the bugs that cause it  .

[stumpsniper]

That will help with our dwindling deer population...  

[Weekend Warrior]

It's here in Ky also..

[jesse cales]

gettin em here in va. too

[Shape Shifter]

Blue Tongue is transmitted by the those tiny insects known as midges. The virus does not live long outside the insect or the deer host. It is very difficult to to detect the virus is deer that have been dead for at least 24 hours. Infections without showing symtoms in deer are common. Outward signs may include mouth and tongue ulcers, loss of appetite and activity. Sometimes infected deer won't move far away from water due to fact the virus causes extreme high fever.

[R.L.Boone]

Havn't heard of it here in central N.C. this year but have had it in years past. I here it runs in a so many year cycle as it takes that long for the bugs that carry it to hatch out can,t remember how many years mabe seven. Has anyone else heard this.

[BOFF]

Originally posted by R.L.Boone:
Havn't heard of it here in central N.C. this year but have had it in years past. I here it runs in a so many year cycle as it takes that long for the bugs that carry it to hatch out can,t remember how many years mabe seven. Has anyone else heard this.

A good article is in QDMA
 http://www.qdma.com/articles/details.asp?id=111

[bentpole]

There are cases also reported in Jersey.Middlesex County I beleive. It was in the paper a few days ago.I overheard two guys talking about a sick deer on one of the guys property yesterday in Blairstown. He said the deer was lying in the hot sun shaking. The deer probably had the fever associated with the disease.He said he walked right up on the deer, it didn't move.  Wonderful another thing to worry about.Deer ticks, Lyme disease,CWD,now this.In the article it stated that it is from flooding and receeding waters where these midges thrive,the muddy soil. It seems like that's all we have weather wise now drought or flooding.

[R.L.Boone]

Thanks BOFF A lot of good infomation there.

[sbschindler]

Bluetongue found in wildlife By MARK HENCKEL Gazette Outdoor Editor

Bluetongue has been confirmed as the cause of death for a whitetail buck and an antelope buck in the Musselshell River drainage. Those results are something of a surprise.

Bluetongue is normally considered a livestock disease that typically hits sheep the hardest. Wildlife typically die from bluetongue's close cousin, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, which hits white-tailed deer the hardest.

"Bluetongue can affect wildlife, and we got testing results back on our first two animals Tuesday that show bluetongue was the cause of death," said Jay Newell, wildlife biologist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks at Roundup.

"I submitted samples from five animals. So far, the only results that have come back are from the antelope buck and the whitetail buck," he said. "They haven't finished testing the others. And I sent in another sample today from a sick antelope. Animals are still dying. It's not over yet." Both bluetongue and EHD are transmitted by the same biting midge, which hatches out in late summer and persists until the first hard frosts of fall. During that time, midges that bite infected animals will pass the disease along to new victims. Not all animals die from the disease, but many do.

The recent deaths include both wildlife such as antelope and deer and area sheep, including a new outbreak in a flock reported in nearby Petroleum County on Monday. Those animals were undergoing treatment by a veterinarian.

In the past, wildlife deaths in Montana have been thought to be solely caused by EHD. But Newell said the book "Wildlife Diseases of Wyoming" states that bluetongue was the cause of a massive die-off in eastern Wyoming in 1976 that killed 3,100 antelope and about 1,000 deer.

Newell is trying to get a handle on the effect of this year's die-offs in the area by flying known wildlife census routes and tracking reports from hunters and others of dead animals. What he has found so far has been sobering; it's not a small die-off.

"I started in Roundup and flew down the Musselshell, and it's limited what you can see form the air," he said. "I counted 67 dead deer in the river of next to the river from Roundup to Melstone.

"The highest mortality was from Musselshell to Melstone. It got to be more and more the further you went downriver," Newell said. "From Melstone to Mosby, I've gotten reports of a significant number of deer that died there, too.

"Then, I tried to count antelope. In July, I flew four subunits of Hunting District 530. I flew those over the last two days. I counted about 26 percent less antelope than I did in July," he said. "It's also significant that the buck numbers were down 44 percent."

Newell said that although the literature on the disease doesn't state that the buck toll should be higher than on does, that has been the experience here.

"I think that it probably does hit bucks harder. A lot of the reports are bucks," he said. "One of the samples I sent in was from a buck mule deer - but it had a dead doe lying next to it, so who can say for sure."

Newell said reports of other dead antelope and deer have come in from a wide area - north of Ingomar and Sumatra, near Rapelje, Broadview, west of Roundup and in the Huntley-Worden area.

"In 2001, we had our last big outbreak of EHD on the Musselshell," he said. "We figure we lost about 46 percent of the whitetails on the Musselshell to the disease that year. My guess is that it's going to be that or a little bit higher."

Montana isn't alone in EHD outbreaks this year. Significant mortality on deer has been reported in Texas, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois.

But nailing down bluetongue as the cause of wildlife deaths is something relatively new to Montana. As further test reports are received by FWP, its part in the deaths of wildlife and sheep will be better defined.

"My experience in 2001 was that it took a really good hard frost or several nights of hard frost before it disappeared completely," Newell said. "Until then, we expect the deaths to continue

[hockeyref]

2007 Press Releases
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Wildlife Management Agency

Release #119-07
 

HARRISBURG - Dr. Walter Cottrell, Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife veterinarian, today announced that the test result from an adult female deer has confirmed that epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) has been found in Beaver County.  

"This outbreak of EHD is more significant than the one in 2002, as it occurred earlier in the year and has impacted more deer in a larger area," Dr. Cottrell said.  "In addition, the fact that we are finding EHD earlier this year means that it will take longer before the first good frost, which is what is needed to kill the insects responsible for spreading the virus.

"Though difficult to determine the precise number of deer that have died due to EHD because of the rapid decomposition of dead deer, we have our officer's observations and those of concerned citizens that suggest that the number is in excess of 1,000 animals at this time and could increase.  Rapid decomposition of affected deer and the large area that is affected will continue to make an actual body count impractical."

Dr. Cottrell noted that additional samples from deer found dead in Allegheny, Beaver, Cambria, Washington and Westmoreland counties have been submitted for testing.  Residents with information about other sick or dead deer are urged to contact the Southwest Region Office at 724-238-9523.

So far, EHD has been confirmed throughout Greene County; West Finley, East Finley, South Franklin, Morris, Amwell, West Bethlehem and Marianna townships in Washington County; and Greene, Hanover, Raccoon, Industry, Potter, Ohioville, South Beaver, Wanport, Shippingport, Midland, Glasgow, Georgetown, Hookstown, Independence, Center and Brighton townships in Beaver County.

"There is no doubt that hunter success and satisfaction will be reduced in those local areas hardest hit by EHD," said Matthew Hough, Game Commission Southwest Region director.  "But, WMU 2A is a large area with a lot of deer.  Hunters should consider moving out of those local areas that are hit the hardest and hunt the areas of WMU 2A that have not been hit or have reduced mortalities from this outbreak.  Now is the time to scout new areas prior to the seasons.

"Also, hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts should take heart in the fact that WMU 2A has good habitat and the deer population will rebound rapidly.  Some of the hardest hit areas along the Washington/Greene county line of WMU 2A were hit with the 2002 outbreak.  Prior to this year's event, there was no shortage of deer in those same areas, which means that the deer herd rebounded then and they will rebound again."

"While we want to continue to receive reports about dead deer in these townships and counties, we also are very interested in hearing from those who find dead deer in other areas of southwestern Pennsylvania," Cottrell said.  "As tissue samples must be extracted within 24 hours of death to be suitable for conducting tests, it is important that we hear from residents as soon as possible."

Dr. Cottrell reminded hunters that EHD cannot be contracted by humans and it is extremely rare for this virus to cause clinical signs in traditional livestock, such as cattle, sheep or goats.  However, there is evidence of an EHD outbreak in domestic cattle, both dairy and beef, in southwestern Ohio, while sheep on one of the two farms affected do not seem to be ill.  However, farmed deer and elk are susceptible.  Anyone who suspects EHD in their livestock should contact their private veterinary practitioner.

"While there is no evidence that humans can acquire this disease, other diseases may be transmitted by careless hygiene when processing deer.  As a routine precaution, all hunters are encouraged to wear rubber or latex gloves when handling or field-dressing any animal, and wash their hands and tools thoroughly after field dressing," Dr. Cottrell said.  "As with any wild game, meat should always be thoroughly cooked."

EHD is a common but sporadic disease in white-tailed deer populations of the United States, and is contracted by the bite of insects called "biting midges."  In more northern states, such as Pennsylvania, EHD occurs less often and the deer are less able to mount an effective immune response.  The virus usually kills the naïve animal within five to 10 days.  It is not spread from deer to deer by contact.  While EHD is not infectious to humans, deer displaying severe symptoms of EHD are usually not suitable for consumption because of the rapid deterioration of the meat and secondary bacterial infection.

Dr. Cottrell stressed that even though some EHD symptoms are similar to those of chronic wasting disease (CWD) - such as excessive drooling, weakness and a loss of fear of humans - there is no relationship between EHD and CWD.  

"However, because these diseases coexist, all of the deer that are submitted are being tested for CWD," Dr. Cottrell said.  "It also is worth noting that like CWD, EHD is one of those diseases that can be amplified by anything that serves to congregate deer, such as supplemental feeding, and placement of salt or mineral blocks.  While the disease is not spread from deer to deer through contact, congregating animals through feeding does make transmission easier by allowing midges greater access to a larger number of animals in a more confined area.  Therefore, such feeding activities should be discontinued immediately."

Cottrell also pointed out that the EHD outbreak should end with the onset of colder weather, which will kill the insects that spread the disease.  He noted that EHD, unlike CWD, is a seasonal disease and agreed that the affected local deer herd will rebound quickly.  

"The good news from this situation is that the public is reporting these sightings to the Game Commission," Cottrell said.  "Should the state's deer herd be infected with more serious diseases, the Game Commission will need to rely on the continued vigilance of the public so that we can respond in a timely manner."

Residents in other counties are encouraged to call their respective regions to report dead or sick deer.  Contact information is available on page 3 of the 2007-08 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, which is presented to each license buyer and the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) under the "Contact Us" section at the bottom of the homepage.

EHD was first confirmed in Pennsylvania in 2002, when an outbreak caused the death of 70 deer in Greene and Washington counties.  That same year, EHD was confirmed in Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.  

In 1996, EHD was suspected to be the cause of death in nearly 25 deer in Adams County, but test results in that case were inconclusive.

 This year, numerous other states also are finding EHD-related mortality this year, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Virginia, Ohio and West Virginia.

 http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?Q=172427&A=11

[kojac]

howler,

that is not an artical from this year, is it?

[fyrfyter43]

Originally posted by bentpole:
There are cases also reported in Jersey.Middlesex County I beleive. It was in the paper a few days ago.I overheard two guys talking about a sick deer on one of the guys property yesterday in Blairstown. He said the deer was lying in the hot sun shaking. The deer probably had the fever associated with the disease.He said he walked right up on the deer, it didn't move.  Wonderful another thing to worry about.Deer ticks, Lyme disease,CWD,now this.In the article it stated that it is from flooding and receeding waters where these midges thrive,the muddy soil. It seems like that's all we have weather wise now drought or flooding.

Yep, here's the Health Advisory that was sent home today with the kids.

 

September 7, 2007
Personnel from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) are investigating a possible outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in deer in Hillsborough Township, Somerset County.

A hunter scouting for the upcoming deer season called the Division of Fish and Wildlife and reported finding 15 dead deer on his hunting club property. A dead deer fawn was recovered from the property by Fish and Wildlife biologists on the morning of September 7 that did exhibit visual signs of having EHD. The pathologist from the DFW’s Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics is performing the necessary laboratory tests in order to confirm the preliminary diagnosis.

EHD is a common viral disease in deer contracted from the bite of insects called biting midges. New Jersey has had occasional and localized outbreaks of EHD documented in 1955 (Morris and Somerset Counties,) 1975 (Warren and Sussex Counties) and 1999 in Salem County.

The disease causes high fever and hemorrhaging from the mouth, nose and eyes before death. Deer may go to water to cool off or drink. In northern states EHD usually kills the animal within five to 10 days. It is not spread from deer to deer.

Humans cannot contract EHD and although some EHD symptoms are similar to those for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) such as excessive drooling, weakness and a loss of fear of humans, there is no relationship between EHD and CWD.

The EHD outbreak should end with the onset of colder weather, which will kill the insects that spread the disease.

The Fall archery deer season in New Jersey begins in many of the agricultural and suburban areas of the state on Saturday, September 8. Hunters observing deer acting abnormally are advised to not harvest the deer, but rather report their observations to Dr. Douglas Roscoe at 908-735-6398.

EHD outbreaks have been confirmed this year in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.