Deer and EHD

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is asking those who are out in the fields and woods of New Jersey at this time of year to be alert for deer that may be affected by Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and to report any suspected cases to the Division.

Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) is a common viral disease in deer that is transmitted by biting midges belonging to the genus Culiocoides.

Hemorrhagic disease outbreaks in New Jersey typically occur in August through October and end with the first significant frost, which kills the midges. Seven EHD outbreaks have occurred in various parts of New Jersey since 1955, and the first documented case occurred in deer in 2014.

Symptoms of HD in deer may include difficulty standing, drooling, lethargy, respiratory distress, emitting foam from the mouth or nose, and swelling of the face, tongue, and neck. Because the disease causes fever, sick or dead deer are often seen in or near water, after drinking or attempting to cool off. Affected deer may also show reduced activity, loss of appetite and develop ulcerations on their tongue.



Deer exhibiting any of the above mentioned signs in late summer and fall, or dead deer observed in or near water should be reported to any one of the following numbers:

Bureau of Wildlife Management:
Northern Region Deer Biologist - Jodi Powers, 609-259-6965
Southern Region Deer Biologist - Joe Leskie, 609-748-2065

HD is not a public health issue. Neither the EHD nor BT viruses can be transmitted to people, and humans are not at risk by handling infected deer, being bitten by infected midges, or eating infected deer meat -- though the Division of Fish and Wildlife strongly advises against consuming meat from any game animal that appears ill.

EHD virus rarely infects domestic animals, while BT is a known disease of domestic animals such as sheep, cattle, goats, and even domestic dogs. To date, no cases of livestock illness related to BT have been reported. People suspecting HD in domestic animals should have them tested for the virus.


Additional information may be obtained from the State Veterinarian's Office at 609-292-3965.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (AHDL) can assist in diagnosing suspected BT cases by offering testing and necropsy services. The AHDL can be contacted by calling (609) 406-6999 or e-mailing jerseyvetlab@ag.state.nj.us.

More information about the tests offered can be found on the AHDL website: www.jerseyvetlab.nj.gov

More Information

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in Deer in New Jersey (Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics)
Hemorrhagic Disease of White-tailed Deer (pdf, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study)

Dark colors on the map indicate counties where EHD was confirmed by virus isolation. Light colors indicate counties where there were suspected cases that were not confirmed. Blue indicates infections cause by EHD serotype 1 virus and red indicates infections by EHD serotype 2 virus.