By Blake Jackson
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is receiving reports of hemorrhagic disease (HD) in deer this summer and is encouraging the public to help by reporting suspected cases. These reports allow wildlife biologists to monitor deer health and track the spread of the disease more effectively.
HD is a collective term for two similar viruses: epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bluetongue. Both are transmitted to deer through bites from tiny midges, often referred to as “no-see-ums” or “gnats.”
“Hemorrhagic disease is a naturally occurring virus in Missouri’s deer population,” explained MDC Wildlife Health Program Supervisor Deb Hudman. “Outbreaks are most common between July and October and typically end after a heavy frost kills the midges that spread it.”
Although MDC does not expect a major outbreak this year, the agency notes that every case reported provides valuable insight into the disease’s impact on deer across the state.
Deer infected with HD may show several symptoms, including reluctance to move, labored breathing, swelling in the head, neck, or tongue, or abnormal behavior such as confusion or lack of responsiveness.
The illness can cause a high fever, leading deer to seek water; many that die from HD are found near creeks, ponds, or rivers. The disease can be fatal within a few days, though some animals recover and gain immunity. Currently, no cure or vaccine exists.
While the virus kills quickly, MDC says it does not have lasting impacts on Missouri’s overall deer population. Even after significant outbreaks, deer herds typically rebound within a few years.
“We care deeply about Missouri deer and deer hunting,” Hudman said. “By reporting suspected cases of HD, members of the public can help us track where the disease is occurring and how it’s affecting deer numbers in specific areas.”
Missouri’s worst HD event occurred in 2012 during an extreme drought, when deer congregated around scarce water sources and were more likely to be bitten by infected midges.
For more information about HD, visit mdc.mo.gov/wildlife/wildlife-diseases/hemorrhagic-disease. Suspected cases can be reported through local MDC offices, conservation agents, or online via the MDC Wildlife Health Event Reporting Application.
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Categories: Missouri, General