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Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) is either caused by the epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) or the bluetongue disease virus (BTV). Both viruses are transmitted by small, biting midges (also known as gnats or "no see-ums") whose populations peak in summers with a lot of early rainfall followed by dry weather, creating ideal environmental conditions for their reproduction. Affected deer often develop a fever and seek out water to drink and cool off, which is why many deer with hemorrhagic disease are found dead near streams or ponds. HD is fatal to some deer, whereas others develop antibodies which are passed on to their offspring. Reports of HD suspect cases begin in late summer, then rapidly diminish within a couple of weeks of the first hard frost due to the cold temperatures killing the midges.
Signs and symptoms of EHDV and BTV are highly variable, with many infected deer showing little to no clinical signs. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms may include fever, depression, difficulty breathing, lameness, and swelling of the head, neck, tongue or conjunctiva. Deer typically become symptomatic within 7 days of infection, after which they die within 8-36 hours.
EHDV and BTV are spread by the bites of Culicoides midges- biting flies that are smaller than a mosquito.
Diagnosis of EHDV and BTV is based on a combination of both the symptoms of the suspected infected animal and the molecular diagnostic testing of their tissues or blood.
There is no treatment for HD in wildlife populations.
No evidence suggests that these viruses can infect humans. The midges that carry these viruses can infect cattle, sheep, and domestic dogs, but the spread of disease from deer to livestock or deer to domestic dogs has not been reported.
Elk are also susceptible to HD viruses and can become infected, but they are not as susceptible to HD as white-tailed deer.
Insect control can help manage the spread of HD within captive herds or affected livestock, but is not feasible in wild populations. Additionally, the application of drugs to free-ranging wildlife is prohibited under 301 KAR: 4:110 to prevent non-target species and complications in humans that consume game species.
As no evidence exists that EHDV or BTV can affect humans, hunters are not at risk for contracting these viruses by handling a deer with HD, consuming meat from a deer infected with HD, or being bitten by infected midges. However, deer infected with HD may be more susceptible to other bacterial infections or abscesses, and still should not be consumed if found sick or dead.
Hunters are encouraged to take routine safety precautions to protect themselves. All harvested game should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165° F or higher to kill any present viruses, bacteria and parasites. Hunters should not allow their dogs to scavenge on carcasses or consume raw or undercooked meat.
A deceased buck infected with HD found in water. (Image Credit: Jayson Plaxico, KDFWR)
Deceased doe infected with HD found in water. (Image Credit: Joe Lacefield, KDFWR).
Symptoms of facial swelling on a buck infected with HD. (Image Credit: Joe Lacefield, KDFWR).
Symptoms of facial swelling on a doe infected with HD. (Image Credit: Jayson Plaxico, KDFWR).
Please contact our Information Center at 1-800-858-1549 or Info.Center@ky.gov if you have any questions not answered below.
If you found an injured animal, contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. A licensed rehabilitator can evaluate and treat an animal to release back into a natural habitat. If you have found an injured deer, contact the county's regional biologist.
No. Seasons and deer harvest limits will not change. Biologists estimate Kentucky’s deer herd at 1 million animals prior to the start of the seasons. Most deer will not be affected. After the first hard frost, the insects which carry the disease will die off and the outbreak will stop. Herd numbers typically rebound quickly after an outbreak. Hunters can enjoy the deer season as usual. Animals that recover are safe to eat since the virus cannot be transmitted to humans.
While elk can contract the disease, they usually show no outward signs of illness. HD is typically not fatal for elk.
No. While hemorrhagic disease does cause mortality among white-tailed deer herds, there are also animals that survive and produce protective antibodies that can be passed to offspring. This is an important distinction compared to chronic wasting disease (CWD), which is always fatal. Chronic wasting disease poses a real and significant threat to the commonwealth’s cervid population and should not be confused with hemorrhagic disease.
HD affects deer in Kentucky every year. More severe outbreaks may occur statewide every 5 to 7 years. Outbreaks can be major, but the population rebounds quickly. Only a fraction of the deer population is affected even in years with major outbreaks. Some deer will contract the virus and survive.
HD occurs in cyclical outbreaks, with the last large scale regional outbreak reported in eastern Kentucky in 2017. The disease occurs across the country and has been documented for more than 60 years.
The first hard frost will kill the gnats which carry the disease. This will stop outbreaks.
HD cannot be prevented or treated. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife tracks reports from the public and tests sick deer for the virus when possible.
Please report unexplained deer deaths or sickness using the online form. If near a home or business, you can bury the carcass or cover it with lime to reduce the smell. Remove it from any body of water that is a drinking water source.
No. Landowners may leave carcasses to decompose naturally or dispose of them if they wish to. If you see a carcass on a road or roadside, please contact the county road department.
Livestock can be exposed to the disease, but do not usually die.
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