BASICS

Hemorrhagic disease is a general term for illness caused by TWO DIFFERENT VIRUSES that are related; Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease virus (EHD) or bluetongue virus (BT).

EHD primarily affects WHITE-TAILED DEER and can cause significant mortality events, particularly in the northern United States. Mule deer and pronghorn antelope are also affected. Neither EHD or BT are a disease of humans.

CLINICAL SIGNS in white-tailed deer usually begin approximately 7 days after infection with the virus. They may have reduced appetite, weakness, and loss of fear of humans. Fever and edema are common and deer with EHD often have a swollen head, neck, tongue, or eyelids.