ODNR Division of Wildlife - Wild Resources - Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) Information

2007 Confirmed Counties in Ohio
Updated
11/05/07

Adams

Athens

Brown

Clermont

Columbiana

Fairfield

Gallia

Guernsey

Highland

Hocking

Jackson

Lawrence

Licking

Madison

Meigs

Monroe

Morgan

Muskingum

Noble

Perry

Pike

Ross

Scioto

Vinton

Washington

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2007 Suspected - Not Confirmed

Belmont

Butler

Hamilton

Harrison

Jefferson

Pickaway

Tuscarawas

Union

Warren


EHD was last detected in Ohio in 2007. If you suspect EHD in deer, please contact us.


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EHD General Information:

  • EHD does not affect humans, nor impact the safety of consumed deer.
  • EHD is caused by the bite of an infected midge and once there has been a hard freeze, the insects die off for the winter, eliminating new cases of EHD.
  • Most significant disease of white-tailed deer in the United States
  • Virus identified and described in 1955 in NJ.
  • Enzootic to Southeastern United States.
  • Outbreaks often associated with drought.
  • Can result in high deer mortality in some areas.

EHD Symptoms:

  • Symptoms vary depending on virulence of the virus and resistance of the deer.
  • Animals may appear feverish
  • Have pronounced swelling of head, neck, tongue, and eyelids
  • May have respiratory distress
  • Internal hemorrhaging
  • Highly virulent strains may cause death in 1-3 days.
  • Carcasses often recovered near water.

EHD Transmission:

  • The EHD virus does not appear to be transmissible to humans.
  • EHD does not pose a serious threat to livestock (according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.)
  • The virus deteriorates in <24 hours after death and cannot be spread from dead deer carcasses
  • There appears to be no risk associated with direct exposure to the virus or in consuming a deer that has been infected with the virus.
  • However, never kill or eat a sick deer.
  • Use rubber gloves to field dress deer.

EHD Management:

  • Mapping distribution of EHD outbreak.
  • Estimating infection and mortality rates.
  • Collecting blood samples of hunter harvested deer.
  • Monitoring changes in deer populations.
  • Examining fall bow hunter surveys and harvest statistics
  • Conducting aerial deer surveys

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See the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study’s Web site for more information.