Post by BIGHORN on Sept 28, 2006 11:17:46 GMT -5
Deer Disease hits west central Indiana
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A viral disease called EHD appears to be infecting, and often killing, wild white-tailed deer in west central Indiana.
EHD is not normally found in domestic animals, and is not transmissible to humans.
Hoosier hunters and hikers have recently been finding and reporting to the DNR an unusual number of dead wild deer in Greene, Clay, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, Fountain and Vigo counties.
Outdoorsmen and women have discovered as many as 30 dead deer while hiking or canoeing along stretches of streams. Initial investigations by DNR biologists point to a viral disease called EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease), transmitted by small flying insects called biting midges.
DNR biologists have submitted tissue samples to the Purdue Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab for confirmation.
EHD causes severe, flu-like symptoms in the deer, including a high fever. This causes infected deer to seek open water in streams or ponds to cool off. Many of the reported dead deer were found near water.
Sick deer may lose their appetite, coordination and their fear of normal dangers. Animals become dehydrated and progressively weaker, with mouth and eye tissue often showing a rosy or bluish color. A significant percentage of deer that contract EHD die within one to three days.
Indiana deer hunters are asked to observe deer they intend to take for a brief time. If the deer's posture or behavior indicates the deer may be sick, don't take it. There appears to be no risk associated with direct exposure to or consumption of an EHD infected deer.
Use common sense when cleaning and preparing any deer. Never kill or eat a sick deer. Use rubber gloves. Be sure meat is cooked thoroughly to kill any bacteria or organisms that may be present.
EHD usually affects local deer populations until the first hard frost, which kills the biting midges that spread the disease. The last major Hoosier EHD outbreak occurred in southern Indiana in fall 1996.
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Media contact,
DNR biologist Dean Zimmerman,
765-567-2151 or
dzimmerman@dnr.IN.gov
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A viral disease called EHD appears to be infecting, and often killing, wild white-tailed deer in west central Indiana.
EHD is not normally found in domestic animals, and is not transmissible to humans.
Hoosier hunters and hikers have recently been finding and reporting to the DNR an unusual number of dead wild deer in Greene, Clay, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, Fountain and Vigo counties.
Outdoorsmen and women have discovered as many as 30 dead deer while hiking or canoeing along stretches of streams. Initial investigations by DNR biologists point to a viral disease called EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease), transmitted by small flying insects called biting midges.
DNR biologists have submitted tissue samples to the Purdue Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab for confirmation.
EHD causes severe, flu-like symptoms in the deer, including a high fever. This causes infected deer to seek open water in streams or ponds to cool off. Many of the reported dead deer were found near water.
Sick deer may lose their appetite, coordination and their fear of normal dangers. Animals become dehydrated and progressively weaker, with mouth and eye tissue often showing a rosy or bluish color. A significant percentage of deer that contract EHD die within one to three days.
Indiana deer hunters are asked to observe deer they intend to take for a brief time. If the deer's posture or behavior indicates the deer may be sick, don't take it. There appears to be no risk associated with direct exposure to or consumption of an EHD infected deer.
Use common sense when cleaning and preparing any deer. Never kill or eat a sick deer. Use rubber gloves. Be sure meat is cooked thoroughly to kill any bacteria or organisms that may be present.
EHD usually affects local deer populations until the first hard frost, which kills the biting midges that spread the disease. The last major Hoosier EHD outbreak occurred in southern Indiana in fall 1996.
-----------------
Media contact,
DNR biologist Dean Zimmerman,
765-567-2151 or
dzimmerman@dnr.IN.gov