EHD Details:

• EHD does not affect humans, nor impact the safety of consumed deer. 
• EHD is caused by the bite of an infected midge and once there has been a hard freeze, the insects die off for the winter, eliminating new cases of EHD.
• Most significant disease of white-tailed deer in the United States
• Enzootic to Southeastern United States.
• Outbreaks often associated with drought.
• Can result in high deer mortality in some areas (usually <25%, but up to 50% in rare instances).

EHD Symptoms:

• Symptoms vary depending on virulence of the virus and resistance of the deer.
• Symptoms of EHD can be very similar to those of CWD, however CWD has not been found in KY.  EHD cases are well documented in KY, mostly in the late summer and fall.
• Acute form:
• Animals may appear feverish and depressed
• Have pronounced swelling of head, neck, tongue, and eyelids
• May have respiratory distress
• Internal hemorrhaging
• Highly virulent strains may cause death in 1-3 days.
• Carcasses often recovered near water.
• Chronic form:
• Survivors may exhibit evidence of lesions in mouth and in rumen lining
• Sloughing hooves (often seen in fall harvest)

EHD Transmission:

• The EHD virus is not transmissible to humans.
• The virus deteriorates in <24 hours after death and cannot be spread from dead deer carcasses
• The virus does not appear to be a threat to livestock.
• There appears to be no risk associated with direct exposure to the virus or in consuming a deer that has been infected with the virus.
• However, never kill or eat a sick deer.
• Use rubber gloves to field dress deer.