Epizootic hemorrhagic disease ehd virus

Diagnosis is based on the combination of clinical signs and virus testing on tissue and blood. Virus identification is essential since the signs of EHD can resemble BT and other diseases of agricultural concern, such as Foot and Mouth. There is no treatment for EHD or BT in wildlife populations and no wildlife prevention plan currently exists. Outbreaks of EHD in domestic ruminants are becoming more common.

BT is similar to EHD but more typically affects domestic ruminants such as sheep, cattle, and goats. It can potentially infect domestic dogs. These vary based on the serotype of EHD and whether or not animals have any preexisting immunity.

The incubation period ranges from about 5 to 10 days. The acute forms of the disease have high mortality rates. Fever causes deer to seek out water, so that dead deer may be near or in water. Deer with chronic infections may show hoof abnormalities , including sloughing of hoof walls.

The virus damages the endothelium, or the lining of the blood vessels causing small hemorrhages over the body. Hemorrhage of the heart and lungs can result in respiratory distress.

There may be dental pad erosion or tongue ulcers as well as bloody discharge from the nasal cavity. EHD is a disease that mainly affects white-tailed deer in the United States. This disease is caused by a virus that is spread by a biting midge. The disease usually affects deer herds in South Dakota in the late summer or early fall. Severity of disease depends primarily on geographic location, abundance of biting midges, the viral strain, presence of herd immunity, and deer density.

There are large variations from year to year in disease rates. Prevention There are no vaccines or treatment available for EHD. Guidance for Park Visitors The guidelines below can be followed to ensure you and your family safely enjoy the wonderful natural and cultural resources protected by the NPS.

Most wild animals in parks are healthy and thrive in their natural environment, but sometimes wildlife can get sick just like people. Certain disease-causing organisms can be passed between wild animals and people. Therefore, always avoid touching or handling sick or dead wild animals.

Park Service employees trained in wildlife health use specific protective measures to safely deal with a wild animal that may have died of disease.

Related Links Learn about other wildlife health topics, here. Tags wildlife health white-tailed deer mule deer pronghorn antelope black-tailed deer elk red deer fallow deer roe deer. Last updated: March 29,