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Insect-borne disease killing deer in Va.
Nearly 200 dead so far; one case was in Hanover County
Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 - 12:08 AM
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By JOE MACENKA
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
An insect-borne virus is being blamed for killing nearly 200 deer across Virginia in recent weeks, and the state is bracing for the toll to go higher.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease does not affect humans, but it's frustrating for game officials because the only thing that will stop it is the onset of cold, wet weather that will kill off insects.
"It's worse in the western part of the state because of the drought creating the perfect environment for this," said Julia Dixon, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Since late July, the game department has received 45 separate reports of the disease, some involving dozens of deaths.
While the disease seems to be more prevalent in Virginia's mountainous areas, the 20 counties where the disease has been reported range as far north as Fairfax County next to the District of Columbia, as far east as Accomack County on the Eastern Shore, as far south as Grayson County on the North Carolina border and as far west as Lee County on the Kentucky border. In early August, one case was reported in Hanover County, Dixon said.
The confirmed reports of 162 dead deer include more than 50 in Alleghany County, 23 in Shenandoah and 15 in Grayson, said Jonathan Sleeman, wildlife veterinarian with Virginia's game department.
"And that's probably just a fraction of the actual total, and we're probably going to continue to receive reports," he said yesterday. "In fact, we're just entering the peak of hemorrhagic disease season."
The viral disease is transmitted by biting gnats, or midges, and is usually fatal within five to 10 days. Visible symptoms include excessive drooling, weakness, swollen head or tongue and loss of fear of humans.
This summer's hot, dry conditions may be contributing to the proliferation of the disease. The last time Virginia had significant reports of hemorrhagic disease was in 2002, when hot, dry conditions also persisted.
"That's the frustrating thing about this disease," Sleeman said. "There's not much we can do to prevent it, and there's not much we can do once it occurs."
Sleeman said Virginia deer hunters can help the game department identify cases of the disease. There are two deer-hunting seasons coming up in Virginia, including an urban archery season that begins Saturday in select communities.
As a precaution, Sleeman said, hunters should wear rubber or latex gloves when they handle or field-dress any animals, and wash their hands and tools afterward. Do not eat meat you think may have been contaminated.
Anyone who comes across a deer that may have the disease is asked to contact one of the game department's regional offices, in Charles City, (804) 829-6580; Forest, (434) 525-7522; Fredericksburg, (540) 899-4169; Marion, (276) 783-4860; or Verona, (540) 248-9360.
The disease is not isolated in Virginia, which has a deer population estimated at between 900,000 and 1 million. Pennsylvania officials say the disease may have killed more than 1,000 deer in that state, and there have also been reports of possible cases in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.
Contact Joe Macenka at (804) 649-6804 or jmacenka@timesdispatch.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Nearly 200 dead so far; one case was in Hanover County
Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 - 12:08 AM
Article Tools
Email a FriendEmail a Friend
RSSRSS
digg itdigg it
Printer FriendlyPrinter Friendly
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deliciousSave This Page
By JOE MACENKA
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
An insect-borne virus is being blamed for killing nearly 200 deer across Virginia in recent weeks, and the state is bracing for the toll to go higher.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease does not affect humans, but it's frustrating for game officials because the only thing that will stop it is the onset of cold, wet weather that will kill off insects.
"It's worse in the western part of the state because of the drought creating the perfect environment for this," said Julia Dixon, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Since late July, the game department has received 45 separate reports of the disease, some involving dozens of deaths.
While the disease seems to be more prevalent in Virginia's mountainous areas, the 20 counties where the disease has been reported range as far north as Fairfax County next to the District of Columbia, as far east as Accomack County on the Eastern Shore, as far south as Grayson County on the North Carolina border and as far west as Lee County on the Kentucky border. In early August, one case was reported in Hanover County, Dixon said.
The confirmed reports of 162 dead deer include more than 50 in Alleghany County, 23 in Shenandoah and 15 in Grayson, said Jonathan Sleeman, wildlife veterinarian with Virginia's game department.
"And that's probably just a fraction of the actual total, and we're probably going to continue to receive reports," he said yesterday. "In fact, we're just entering the peak of hemorrhagic disease season."
The viral disease is transmitted by biting gnats, or midges, and is usually fatal within five to 10 days. Visible symptoms include excessive drooling, weakness, swollen head or tongue and loss of fear of humans.
This summer's hot, dry conditions may be contributing to the proliferation of the disease. The last time Virginia had significant reports of hemorrhagic disease was in 2002, when hot, dry conditions also persisted.
"That's the frustrating thing about this disease," Sleeman said. "There's not much we can do to prevent it, and there's not much we can do once it occurs."
Sleeman said Virginia deer hunters can help the game department identify cases of the disease. There are two deer-hunting seasons coming up in Virginia, including an urban archery season that begins Saturday in select communities.
As a precaution, Sleeman said, hunters should wear rubber or latex gloves when they handle or field-dress any animals, and wash their hands and tools afterward. Do not eat meat you think may have been contaminated.
Anyone who comes across a deer that may have the disease is asked to contact one of the game department's regional offices, in Charles City, (804) 829-6580; Forest, (434) 525-7522; Fredericksburg, (540) 899-4169; Marion, (276) 783-4860; or Verona, (540) 248-9360.
The disease is not isolated in Virginia, which has a deer population estimated at between 900,000 and 1 million. Pennsylvania officials say the disease may have killed more than 1,000 deer in that state, and there have also been reports of possible cases in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.
Contact Joe Macenka at (804) 649-6804 or jmacenka@timesdispatch.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
