Wildlife officials researching deer deaths in Madison County

Wildlife officials are keeping a close eye on the local deer population after scores have been found laying lifeless across Madison County. At least 40 deer have been reported dead, primarily in the Little Pine and Big Pine communities, according to Justin McVey of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

Test results returned Aug. 21 from the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine Southeastern pointed to epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) as the likely cause.

“It’s a very common disease in the Southeast that usually shows up every five years or so,” McVey said. “It’s a natural cycle and will probably die off with first frost.”

McVey, who serves as the WRC’s lead wildlife biologist for the mountain district including Madison, Buncombe and 10 other counties, said organ and blood samples from recently deceased deer indicated signs of EHD, not bluetongue virus. Both are infectious diseases common among white-tailed deer in the Southeast. Hemorrhagic disease is often used as an umbrella term for both EHD and bluetongue virus.

“They basically exhibit the same way, are transferred the same way, there’s just a little bit of a difference,” McVey said.

Hemorrhagic disease passes from deer-to-deer through a biting midge, sometimes called a gnat or no-see-um, between late summer and early fall. The onset of freezing weather, which stops the midges, can bring a sudden end to hemorrhagic disease outbreaks. 

Common symptoms for deer include emaciation, loss of motor control, fever, lameness, and swelling of the neck and head, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite and no fear of humans.

As symptoms worsen, fever sets in and the deer seek out water, which is why infected deer are usually found dead around water sources.

“When deer get it, some die pretty quickly, some take a long time, and some can live through it,” McVey said. “It happens every single year and every few years we see an outbreak.”

The last major outbreak to hit WNC occurred in 2013, when deer populations around the Biltmore Estate were hit hard, McVey said.

Hemorrhagic disease has no known effect on humans and is not one that people or domestic pets can contract, according to McVey, who added that it's always a good idea to wear gloves when handling a sick animal.

The viruses, particularly bluetongue, can threaten other ruminants and livestock animals. Typically, while hemorrhagic disease does not cause severe symptoms in cows, bluetongue virus can cause disease in sheep similar to what occurs in white-tailed deer.

McVey said a parasite control program can help reduce risk of exposure among livestock herds.

As far as protecting deer, little can be done according to McVey. “We cannot vaccinate all deer,” he said. “We can monitor the numbers and if it got to a certain level, we could look at changing up the hunting season. We’re far off from even considering that.”

When harvesting deer this season, McVey said hunters should beware of emaciated deer or those with “hooves that look funny.”

“Some folks may not have as much success, because numbers may be down,” McVey said. “Generally, the population will rebound fairly quickly. In two-to-three years, this shouldn’t be much of an issue.”

To report dead or obviously sick looking deer, contact the Wildlife Resources Commission helpline at 866-318-2401 or email wildlife.health@ncwildlife.org.

Karen Chávez contributed to this report.