Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources warns of a viral disease affecting deers

Multiple recent reports of ill or deceased deer in Virginia have been linked to hemorrhagic disease, or HD, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

A DWR Facebook post says that most reports of HD, an infectious disease that affects a lot of white-tailed deer, come from the Virginia Piedmont area.

In the late summer and early autumn, deer who seem to be in good condition are often discovered dead or ill on marsh soil or near water, a symptom characteristic of the HD outbreaks that are common in Virginia and other southeast U.S. areas. Deer with a very high temperature during the onset of the disease visit these spots to cool down.

HD is spread by biting flies, also called biting gnats or midges, for which there is no vaccine, medicine, or preventative measure. The announcement said that outbreaks of the viral disease usually last until it gets cold enough to kill the bugs that spread the disease.

The illness does not pose a danger to humans or domestic animals, and hunters are not at risk from touching or consuming infected deer. However, experts warn against handling or consuming deer that “act or look obviously sick.”

The DWR requests that suspected instances of HD be reported to the Wildlife Helpline at (855) 571-9003 or [email protected], along with the location and number of deer affected. They say that DWR employees will not do site inspections in response to HD complaints unless there are special circumstances.