Published Date: 2011-12-26 20:59:04
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (15): (VA) RFI
Archive Number: 20111226.3680

EPIZOOTIC HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE, CERVIDS - USA (15): (VIRGINIA) REQUEST
FOR INFORMATION
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Fri 23 Dec 2011
Source: Tidewater News [edited]
http://www.tidewaternews.com/2011/12/23/bluetongue-may-be-hurting-deer-harvest/

A slightly elevated occurrence of hemorrhagic disease, or bluetongue virus, is partially responsible for a decrease in deer harvests this year [2011] in Western Tidewater and other areas of Virginia, experts say.

Aaron Procter, a district wildlife biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, said 2 percent to 3 percent of deer in the Tidewater area are affected by bluetongue. [In all probability the disease is actually epizootic hemorrhagic disease. This disease, while closely related to bluetongue, is a different virus and much more prevalent in deer than bluetongue. - Mod.TG] "We've had pockets of the disease in Isle of Wight and Southampton counties," he said. "Some hunters are crediting low deer counts with (bluetongue) and in pockets of Tidewater that may be the case."

However, Procter added that warmer temperatures and the occurrence of full moons during the deer mating season, known as the rut, could also be contributing to a 10 percent to 15 percent decrease in harvests statewide this year [2011].

Procter said warmer weather means less herd activity during the day and more activity at night, when hunters aren't out.

"There's not a lot of deer activity during the day," Procter said. He added that the decrease could also be the result of hunters finally getting "on top of the deer herd in southeastern Virginia."

Bluetongue virus is a naturally occurring disease in deer, with outbreaks happening almost every year. The disease is spread by biting midges, or biting flies, and there are no direct health effects on humans, Procter said. "There are no consumption concerns, but we advise people that if something doesn't look right, you shouldn't eat it," Procter said.

The disease typically occurs from mid-August through October. Many affected deer appear normal or show only mild signs of illness, but the signs change as the illness progresses. Initially, animals may seem depressed, feverish and have a swollen neck, according to the department's website.

All deer appearing to be ill should be reported to the department at 804-367-1258.

[Byline: Dale Liesch]

-- Communicated by: ProMED-mail promed@promedmail.org

[Let us hope the agencies and the people involved in the deer deaths are not speculating on which disease they are dealing with. This article does not mention any type of testing to determine the disease.

While epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHD or EHDV) is closely related to bluetongue virus, they are antigenically very different viruses. EHD more often affects cervids. Bluetongue virus more often affects cattle. While either virus can and occasionally does cross into the other species, it is much more likely that EHD is the cause of these animals dying. Hopefully, someone will provide us with some testing information. Dr William Wilson has developed a PCR test that clearly demonstrates the differences between these 2 viruses.

A map of the area may be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/1A1R. - Mod.TG]

See Also

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (14): (NC) 20111125.3446
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (13): (NJ) 20111122.3419
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (12): (CA) 20111115.3366
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (11): (SD,PA)
20111101.3243
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (10): (MD) 20111028.320
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (09): (ND,MT)
20111021.3137
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (08): (MI) 20111004.2986
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (07): (MI) 20110921.2870
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (06): (NJ, PA)
2 00110918.2842
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (05): (NY) 20110911.2767
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (04): (NJ) 20110911.2762
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (03): (KS,MT)
20110904.2704
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (02): (NJ) 20110826.2601
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (MT) 20110820.2529
2010
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Adenovirus hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA (02): (OR)
20101211.4409
Adenovirus hemorrhagic disease, cervids - USA: (OR) 20100821.2923]
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