spectr17
10-06-2003, 11:55 AM
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease kills 150 deer in state
By BOB HODGE, Knoxville News Sentinel, hodge@knews.com
October 5, 2003
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency believes Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease caused the deaths of about 150 deer in eight southeastern Tennessee counties.
Ben Layton, deer biologist with TWRA's Region III office in Crossville, said three deer have been sent to the Southeast Wildlife Disease Study Unit at the University of Georgia for testing. One has tested positive for EHD.
"A deer in Rhea County tested positive for EHD," Layton said in a statement released by TWRA. "One from Sequatchie County tested negative and test results are pending on a deer found in Roane County."
Most of the deer found were dead for several days, making testing difficult. So far Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie counties have accounted for the most dead deer with 30 each. Fifteen carcasses were found in Meigs County, eight in Roane, five in Bledsoe and one in McMinn.
EHD, which is not always fatal, is a virus spread from deer to deer by biting midges. The disease causes excessive hemorrhaging and deterioration of blood vessels. While the disease can be spread via the small biting flies, it cannot be spread directly from animal to animal.
There are no known cases of the disease being spread to humans either through contact with an infected deer, eating the meat of an infected deer or via bites from midges.
Signs of the disease are uncontrollable salivation, loss of muscle coordination and lack of awareness. Deer that die of EHD are often found near water.
By BOB HODGE, Knoxville News Sentinel, hodge@knews.com
October 5, 2003
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency believes Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease caused the deaths of about 150 deer in eight southeastern Tennessee counties.
Ben Layton, deer biologist with TWRA's Region III office in Crossville, said three deer have been sent to the Southeast Wildlife Disease Study Unit at the University of Georgia for testing. One has tested positive for EHD.
"A deer in Rhea County tested positive for EHD," Layton said in a statement released by TWRA. "One from Sequatchie County tested negative and test results are pending on a deer found in Roane County."
Most of the deer found were dead for several days, making testing difficult. So far Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie counties have accounted for the most dead deer with 30 each. Fifteen carcasses were found in Meigs County, eight in Roane, five in Bledsoe and one in McMinn.
EHD, which is not always fatal, is a virus spread from deer to deer by biting midges. The disease causes excessive hemorrhaging and deterioration of blood vessels. While the disease can be spread via the small biting flies, it cannot be spread directly from animal to animal.
There are no known cases of the disease being spread to humans either through contact with an infected deer, eating the meat of an infected deer or via bites from midges.
Signs of the disease are uncontrollable salivation, loss of muscle coordination and lack of awareness. Deer that die of EHD are often found near water.