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Mississippi authorities said Wednesday they saw an increase in the number of sick or dead deer and suspected illness could be the cause, The Associated Press reported.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks believes the increase in the number of dead deer is due to the hemorrhagic disease, also known as blue tongue, the AP reported. The condition is caused by a virus that is transmitted from deer by small insects like midges and midges.
“The virus causes internal bleeding and sometimes rapid death occurs,” said Dr. Bronson Strickland, a wildlife specialist at Mississippi State University Extension, according to the AP. “The virus can cause ulcers which can interfere with digestion. “
Wildlife biologists suspect that Mississippi is experiencing an epidemic of hemorrhagic disease, commonly known as blue fever. https://t.co/cZ5LMyfAL3
– wdsu (@wdsu) September 29, 2021
According to Strickland, deer with blue tongue suffer from fever and find water to cool off. Deer that die from the virus are often found near local water sources. (RELATED: Employee Kisses Deer Who Walked Into Walmart)
“Much more often deer are infected but are able to cope with the virus and will not have any long-term damage other than telltale indicators that they have the virus,” Strickland said.
“This is often seen with deer slaughtered in the fall and their hooves seem to have dried out. The fever that a deer experiences while fighting the virus stops the growth of the hoof, but the hoof will grow back, ”Strickland added.
Outbreaks of bluetongue are being reported by hunters and the appearance of molting hooves in deer which are killed each season, the AP reported.
“The HD virus is more common in some years and usually follows a three to five year cycle. Mississippi has experienced four consecutive years of low HD activity, ”said William T. McKinley, MDWFP Deer program coordinator, according to WLBT.
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