Viral Disease Killing Deer Spreads, Raising Concernsโ for Hunters and Meat Consumers
An outbreak of epizooticโ hemorrhagic disease (EHD), a viral illness transmitted by biting midges, is prompting alarm among wildlife officials across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. confirmed cases have beenโ reported in pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, fueling fears โof a wider spread and potential impact on deer populations.
While noโ cases haveโข been officially documented in Newโฃ York Stateโ this year, the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab notes that EHD outbreaksโ haveโฃ occurredโ annually in the state sence 2020. Theโ disease, which is not known to infect humans, poses a risk to deer and, consequently, to hunters and individuals whoโค consume venison.
EHD is spread through the bites โof tiny flies, frequently โขenoughโข called “no-see-ums,” of the Stenoxenus genus. The virus causes swelling, โfever, and internal bleeding, often leading to death within days of โคinfection. Deer exhibiting symptoms may โฃappear weak, lethargic, and may โbe found near water sources.
A significant outbreak struck the lower Hudson Valley in New yorkโ during the fall of 2020, resulting in the deaths of โapproximately 1,500 deer, โaccording toโ the Cornell Wildlife โขHealth Lab.Wildlife experts are closely monitoringโฃ the current situation and โadvising hunters to be vigilant.
The Cornell โขWildlife Health Lab recommends that huntersโข avoid harvesting deer that appear sick or are found dead. Additionally, โthey โadvise thoroughly cooking venison to an internal temperature of 165ยฐFโฃ to eliminate any potential risk ofโฃ viral transmission, โฃthough the disease is not known to be transmissible to humans through consumption. The ongoingโฃ spread of EHD underscores the importance of โwildlife โsurveillance and responsible hunting practices to protect both animal and human health.
