Disease Outbreak Continues to Stalk State’s Deer Herds: Experts Say First Hard Frost Will End Spread

By Jake Jennings, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.

Sep. 17–The outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease continues to affect the region’s white-tailed deer herd, but the first hard frost of the season should put an end to the spread of the illness, according to officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The disease has spread throughout western Kentucky and into the central portion of the state since the outbreak was first reported in more than 20 counties in August. Since then, hemorrhagic disease has appeared in 76 counties.

More than 700 dead deer have been reported in all 25 counties that make up the Green River Wildlife Region, which includes Daviess, McLean, Muhlenberg and Ohio counties. That total also includes the Purchase region.

The disease is carried by biting insects that spread the virus throughout the herd. Dry weather is also thought to play a role in spreading the illness.

“This year’s statewide drought could be playing a role in the outbreak,” Karen Alexy, wildlife division director for the department, said. “Dry conditions are concentrating deer near water sources, increasing the chances of midges biting infected animals, then transmitting the disease to healthy deer nearby.”

The first hard freeze will kill the insects and bring the spread of the disease to a halt, the department said.

Hemorrhagic disease occurs each year in the southeastern United States, but the severity of the outbreaks vary widely. Less than 25 percent of the deer in a population usually die from the disease, but death rates can be higher in isolated areas.

The department recommends that hunters do not harvest deer that appear emaciated or weak due to the risk of secondary infections.

Although hemorrhagic disease is not infectious to humans, the illness can cause abscesses to form inside the body cavity of infected animals, rendering the meat inedible, the department said.

Jake Jennings, 691-7312 jJennings@messenger-inquirer.com.

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