Viral disease spotted in West Virginia deer

HARRISVILLE, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) has confirmed to 12 News that it is monitoring an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease (HD) in white-tailed deer.

According to WVDNR Wildlife Disease Specialist Ethan Barton, HD has been spotted in multiple West Virginia counties, including Ritchie, Wood, Jackson and Pleasants. The disease was first spotted in late July in Ritchie County, but less than 65 deer killed by the disease have been reported in West Virginia since.

HD is a viral disease spread by tiny biting flies known as midges. Once bitten, many deer only show mild signs of illness, and some build a resistance to the disease. However, others can develop symptoms like a fever, swollen appendages and difficulty breathing, according to the Virginia Division of Wildlife Resources. In some cases, deer may die 1-3 days after being bitten, but once it does, there is no further risk of contamination.

Despite how much it can affect deer, Barton affirmed to 12 News that HD doesn’t present a risk to people or their pets. He said that HD is a “disease of ruminants, of which white-tailed deer are the most susceptible to disease mortality in West Virginia.”

Barton also said that HD isn’t a new thing in West Virginia and has actually become increasingly common in the past few decades with outbreaks occurring between late July and early October before cooler weather slows it down. He said that HD shouldn’t hinder deer hunters this season.

If you find a sick or dead deer, Barton said the best thing to do is to report it to your local WVDNR office for further investigation. He added that deer carcasses are typically not removed by WVDNR personnel since the disease doesn’t affect surrounding wildlife, but recommended dousing the carcass with hydrated lime if the smell is a concern.

While West Virginia’s outbreak appears mostly contained to the western part of the state at this point, it is not limited by state lines. According to the Washington County, Ohio Health Department, several cases have been spotted in Washington, Athens and Meigs counties, which all border West Virginia via the Ohio River. However, Barton said that outbreaks in West Virginia are typically localized and not associated with any heavy or widespread deer mortality.