The epizootic hemorrhagic disease outbreak that affected deer in several North Carolina counties last fall was compounded by a new strain of the virus.
“Where it appeared and killed deer — and we never knows where it may crop up — its effect was magnified because we had a new strain that had never hit North Carolina,” said Brad Howard, an N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission biologist.
“EHD2 is commonly the strain we have. We see EHD2 somewhere in the state every year. But (in 2014), interestingly enough, the serotype of EHD we had was EHD6. It was the first time for that strain to appear in the state.”
Deer with EHD typically appear confused, and their body weights drop. The virus causes a high fever, and infected animals seek water to alleviate their thirst. That’s why so many deer that die with EHD are found near streams, ponds and lakes. The disease also causes their hooves to swell and slough off and makes walking painful.
“Southern Virginia counties to the north of our hardest-hit counties also were hit by a significant outbreak, but that strain was EHD1,” Howard said.
EHD mutates from one serotype into another, but the Commission never knows when that happens until they sample deer with the virus.
“Deer do build up antibodies to EHD, and that certainly helps buffer its effect,” said Howard, who noted that the productivity of deer habitat — habitat that produces healthy deer — helps whitetails survive and bounce back from EHD outbreaks.
“Deer respond quickly in counties hit by EHD,” Howard said. “People already are seeing deer in the hardest-hit counties.”
Be the first to comment