Emaciated deer seen in Alabama woods sparks epidemic fears

Alabama wildlife officials are on the lookout for reports of deer sick after reports of increased disease in neighboring Mississippi.

Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries employees are monitoring a possible outbreak of deer bleeding disease in northern Alabama. Officials say that in recent weeks they have heard reports that people have found an emaciated deer and seen evidence of it on hunting cameras.

The hemorrhagic disease is caused by a virus and transmitted by tiny biting insects, WHNT-TV reported. The virus causes internal bleeding and interferes with the deer’s ability to eat and digest food, said Chris Cook, coordinator of the Alabama Deer program. Wildlife officials are more concerned about the chronic wasting disease in deer, which impacts humans if harvested meat is eaten, Cook said.