Hey yall, here in WI i dont have to worry about EHD but i see a lot of places get effected. All i know is that it's a disease that kills deer. Can anyone tell me exactly what EHD is? Just looking to gain some knowledge. Thanks
http://www.vet.uga.edu/population_health_files/hemorrhagic-disease-brochure-2013.pdf UGA does a fair bit of tracking and support of state DNR/conservation offices... ~Bill
Why would wisconsin not be affected? EHD, from my understanding, is a caused by microbacteria that is a result of stagnant water. A small fly type parasite will take the microbacteria and then bite a deer, infecting it. To a deer, it's human flu like symptoms, mainly very high fever. This is why you will commonly find infected deer hold up by a water source. As long as you do not have stagnant water, you should be good to go. The last few years here in central IN we've had drought like conditions, this caused many small creeks and streams to pool up and water quit moving. It was kind of a "perfect storm" of EHD.
Living in Wisconsin does not protect your deer from the disease. EHD is used to describe two types of Viruses, not bacteria. It is spread through a biting midge that proliferates in stagnant water. It is more common in the south because of the lower rainfall and warmer temps leading to more areas for the flies to reproduce (more midges/flies more chance of infection). Outbreaks occur most often around the midwest during drought years, when stagnant water is more common. The fly carries the virus and transmits it to deer and other cervids through bites. Not all deer will die and some often become immune to the disease if they survive. Nothing can really be done to prevent an outbreak (maybe pray for lots of rain). The virus needs a live host in order to survive and will often be undetectable in a dead animal a short time after it expires. Nothing has been documented that it can be transmitted to humans, however with all viruses, mutation can occur, and overtime, it may be possible. We've had a number of outbreaks in the midwest the past couple of years. It's no fun but there is nothing you can really do.
I was under the impression it is exposed mud from the drought that creates a beneficial situaion and not stagnant water? Could be wrong, have a lot of work to do today, will research later.
Since others have already educated you on the disease I will just let you know it's been confirmed by the DNR in Wisconsin already from at least the fall of 2012. Some of the counties included are Columbia, Rock, Dane, Sauk and Waukesha just to name a few.
Mud is part of the equation as well but it is submerged mud in shallow water where the midge larvae spend their time. Eutrophic areas like small ponds, cattle ponds, mud puddles are the ideal areas. around 2 inches of water above a muddy bottom is where they spend their time.
