Hemorrhagic Disease is one of the most important infectious diseases of white-tailed deer.  Outbreaks of the
disease are reported somewhere in the Southeast each year.  The disease has two primary viral sources,
epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus and bluetongue virus, with each spread by small biting flies
called midges.   The disease is restricted to animals that are ruminants (deer, cattle, sheep, goats) and
there are no human implications from this disease.
 
Reports of the disease are on the rise in North Carolina this year as documented in various newspaper
articles and releases by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.  The Wildlife Resources
Commission’s Deer Project Leader expects a 10-20% die-off from the disease this year as environmental
conditions were conducive to a burgeoning midge population.  
 
From a September 19 new release in Raleigh: 
 
"A dry summer followed by wet weather late in the season can cause a surge in the midge population,
"says Evin Stanford, the Wildlife Resources Commission's deer biologist.   "We had similar weather
patterns in past hemorrhagic disease outbreak years- 1939, 1955, 1961, 1971, 1976, 1988, 1994,
1999, and 2000.  During these outbreaks, 10-20% of the deer herd died and we could expect the same
for this year.  Several factors may impact the severity of the outbreak, particularly the potency of the virus,
immunity levels of individual deer and the number of midges." "There is nothing that can be done to prevent
outbreaks or the spread of the disease,” according to Evin Stanford.  "The disease can occur in deer herds
of high or low density, even though the mortality rate is often greater in high-density herds.  The disease will
run a natural course and probably subside after the first frost."
HD on Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejeune has had outbreaks of the disease consistent with state trends.  More recently, deer with signs
of HD have been reported in 1999, 2000, 2001, and it is anticipated that additional cases will be discovered
this year.  Watch areas include Camp Johnson and the Greater Sandy Run Area.  Not all deer will suffer
mortality from the disease and deer which recover from an episode of hemorrhagic disease are immune for life.
Progression of the disease changes the outward clinical symptoms.   Infected deer may show only mild signs of
illness.  Typical clinical symptoms include depression, fever, swollen head, neck, eye tissue, or tongue.  Respiratory
stress may be evident in infected animals.  Deer that appear emaciated and are found near water are likely infected. 
Hunters who harvest a deer should be on the watch for internal signs of infection including fluid filled lungs,
hemorrhages in heart and pulmonary arteries, and sloughing or irregular shaped hooves.
 
Hunters and residents should be cognizant of HD in our deer herd.   Reports of sick deer should be directed to
the Game and Non-game Section, Environmental Conservation Branch at 451-5063 or the Game Warden at 451-5226. 

UPDATED 29 OCTOBER 2002

White-tailed Deer and Hemorrhagic Disease: Notice to Hunters and Residents on Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejeune has had its first confirmed case of Hemorrhagic Disease in our resident deer herd. 
Samples taken from a deer that died on 6 October 29, 2002 were sent to the Southeastern Cooperative
Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) at the University of Georgia for testing.  SCWDS confirmed that the
deer died from Hemorrhagic Disease, Type 2.  There is nothing that can be done to reduce the impact
of this potential outbreak.  The transmission cycle for the disease will be interrupted or greatly hindered
after our first frost.  

Hunters and residents are reminded to be cognizant of outward clinical signs of infected deer and
report all potential cases to appropriate Base officials.   Deer that appear emaciated and are found
near water are likely infected.  Hunters who harvest a deer should be on the watch for internal signs
of infection including fluid filled lungs, hemorrhages in heart and pulmonary arteries, and sloughing
or irregular shaped hooves.  Infected deer may also have mouth lesions.  It is always recommended
that hunters wear protective rubber/latex gloves when field dressing all game animals.   

CAN YOU CONTRACT HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE?  The disease is restricted to animals
that are ruminants (deer, cattle, sheep, and goats).  Handling infected deer or consuming venison
from an infected deer will not cause harm.  There are no human implications from this disease.    

Hunters and residents should be cognizant of HD in our deer herd.   Reports of sick deer
should be directed to the Game and Non-game Section, Environmental Conservation Branch
at 451-5063 or the Game Warden at 451-5226 on Camp Lejeune, and the Air Station Game
Warden at 449-0108 for MCAS, New River. 

Updated On: 06/16/08