
In Missouri, deer and elk may be infected.
Single or multiple dead deer may be found in late summer or early fall near water sources with no apparent disease symptoms.
Clinical signs in deer are variable but may include unwillingness to move, difficulty breathing, swelling of the head, neck, or tongue, lameness, and weight loss. Most deer die quickly from the disease and therefore have no obvious clinical signs.
HD is not directly contagious between infected animals.
No. Hemorrhagic disease is not known to infect people.
There is no known risk to humans.
None. Humans are not at risk.
Yes. Meat is generally safe for pets to consume, if no secondary bacterial infections are present and meat is cooked properly.
Biting midge flies in the genus Culicoides spread the viruses that cause the disease.
In North America, there are two viruses that cause HD: epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and bluetongue virus (BTV).
Different strains (subtypes) of these viruses exist, with varying levels of virulence.
Livestock, such as cattle and sheep, may be infected with the HD viruses. Clinical signs vary with the species. Consult your veterinarian for more information on HD in livestock.