The state Department of Environmental Conservation has confirmed that several dead deer found in Albany County have tested positive for epizootic hemorrhagic fever.
This is the first confirmed detection of EHD in New York state. It does not present a threat to human health, according to the DEC.
The disease is transmitted by certain types of midges, which are small biting flies, and usually appears in late summer or early fall. EHD is more common in southern states because midges die when the weather turns colder, the DEC said.
Officials were alerted to the possibility of the disease after more than 20 deer were found dead near Voorheesville.
In states where the disease has been detected, it has not had a significant negative impact on long-term health of the deer herd, infecting only localized pockets of animals within a geographic area, according to the DEC.
"DEC's wildlife managers have been monitoring EHD as it has worked its way north through neighboring states," DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said in a media release. "While other states' experiences indicate that it is not anticipated to have a long-term effect on the health of our deer herd, we will continue to monitor the spread of this disease and its potential impact."
There are several symptoms of EHD, all of which are not necessarily present in an infected deer. They include: swollen head, neck, tongue or eyelids; erosion of the dental pad or ulcers on the tongue; hemorrhaging of the heart, lungs, rumen and intestines; peeling of hooves; and high fever, leading infected deer to sometimes be found near water sources.
Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are requested to inform DEC about sick, dying or dead animals encountered. Sick or dead deer should be reported to the nearest regional DEC office or to (800) TIPP-DEC.
Hunters who harvest a deer found to be diseased may be issued a replacement tag by DEC. To minimize the risk of transmission of any infectious diseases when handling or processing deer, the DEC recommends the following precautions:
Do not handle or eat deer that appear sick, act strangely, or are found dead.
Wear rubber gloves when field-dressing game.
Wash instruments and any parts of the body exposed to animal tissues, blood, urine, etc. with soap and water.
Have game processed promptly.
Request that animals are processed individually, without mixing or coming into contact with meat from other animals.
Consumption of organ meat (including brain, spinal cord, and other nervous tissue, spleen, pancreas, eyes, tonsils and lymph nodes) may pose a greater risk of infection with a number of diseases. Hunters should have deer boned out and have as much fat, connective tissue and lymph nodes removed as possible.
In general, people should not consume an animal known or suspected to be ill.
More information about EHD is available at www.uga.edu/scwds/index.htm.
