Pennsylvania Deer Hunters Can Assist Officials In Tracking EHD

Pennsylvania this year has confirmed cases of dead deer as the result of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, referred to as EHD or blue tongue. It’s a deadly virus, regularly found in many southern states but this summer has spread to several northern states as well. EHD is carried by tiny biting insects commonly called midges or no-see-ums. It is believed that these bitings insects are the only way the virus is passed and not from one animal to the next.

Pennsylvania officials are asking hunters for assistance in reporting any dead deer found believed to have died from EHD. Samara Trusso, regional biologist for the Southwest Region of the Pennsylvania Game Commission describes the symptoms of EHD this way.

Once bitten by an infected midge, Trusso said it takes five to 10 days to see the signs of the illness in the deer. Trusso said the deer will start appearing lethargic, disoriented, lame or unresponsive to humans and other stimulus. Trusso said there have been incidents when people had to physically push an infected deer off a roadway because it would not respond to passing vehicles or honking horns.

As the disease progresses, the deer may drool, have bloody discharge from the nose, sores on the mouth and swollen, blue tongues; they could also become thin from not eating and normally die near sources of water because they seek the water when their fever rises. Once at the water source, they’re too disoriented to drink.

Trusso said between five and seven days after the disease is incubated, the deer could die. Some deer can survive.

The virus cannot spread from deer to deer, animal to animal and the disease is not transferable to humans.

Hunters should report any deer they find that they believe have died from EHD to Game Commission officials. This will help the PGC to track the disease. If a hunter shoots a deer infected with EHD, notify game officials immediately. New deer tags will be issued.

Tom Remington