Deadly deer disease discovered in Jefferson County

JEFFERSON COUNTY, New York (WWNY) – A disease that kills deer in New York State has spread south of Jefferson County.

It’s called epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, and it is transmitted to deer through the bites of midges, small insects sometimes called no-see-ums or “punkies”.

This year, EHD has already killed 700 deer in the state.

The virus was first confirmed in New York deer in 2007, with relatively small outbreaks in Albany, Rensselaer, and Niagara counties, and Rockland County in 2011.

From early September to late October 2020, a large outbreak of EHD occurred in the lower Hudson Valley, killing around 1,500 deer.

According to the State Department of Environmental Conservation, deer typically die within 36 hours of infection with the virus.

EHD outbreaks are more common in late summer and early fall, when midges are plentiful, although the first cases this year were detected in late July. As a result, it has been more prevalent this year than in previous outbreaks.

In New York City, 16 counties have seen cases, including southern Jefferson County.

Signs of the disease include fever, bleeding from muscles or organs, and swelling of the head, neck, tongue, and lips. A deer infected with EHD may appear lame or dehydrated.

Frequently, infected deer seek water sources and many die near a water source.

There is no treatment or way to prevent EHD.

Here’s the good news: The disease is not spread from roe deer to roe deer, and humans cannot be infected by deer or gnat bites.

Dead deer are not a source of infection for other animals.

The DEC said this is unlikely to affect the hunting season.

“While we’ve seen some cases in Jefferson County – Jefferson County has a lot of deer – I don’t see this deer population getting hammered enough by EHD that hunters really notice the difference,” Steven said. Heerkens, DEC wildlife biologist.

The first frost of the year usually kills midges, reducing the spread of disease.

If you see a dead or dying deer suspected of having EHD, the DEC asks you to report it by calling a regional wildlife office.

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