Epizootic hemorrhagic disease

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a hemorrhagic disease of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) caused by an infection of a virus from the genus Orbivirus subsequently called Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV).[1][2] It is an infectious, and sometimes fatal, virus that is characterized by extensive hemorrhages, and is found throughout the United States. Large-scale outbreaks in wild ruminants affect livestock and the production industry.[3] EHD has been found in some domestic ruminants and many species of deer including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and pronghorn antelope.[4] Seropositive black-tailed deer, fallow deer, red deer, wapiti, and roe deer have also been found, which essentially means that they were exposed to the disease at some time in the past but may not be involved in transmission. Outbreaks of EHD have been reported in cattle, although they rarely develop disease or die. Sheep may develop clinical signs, but this is also rare.[2] EHD is often called bluetongue, but this is incorrect. Bluetongue virus is closely related to EHDV, and has similar clinical signs, but it is a different disease. Bluetongue is a serious disease in cattle, as well as other ruminants, and can have a significant effect on international trade. Testing at animal health laboratories is necessary to distinguish between the viruses that cause bluetongue and EHD.

  1. ^ Shope RE, Macnamara LG, Mangold R (January 1960). "A virus-induced epizootic hemorrhagic disease of the Virginal white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)". The Journal of Experimental Medicine. 111 (2): 155–170. doi:10.1084/jem.111.2.155. PMC 2137250. PMID 19867168.
  2. ^ a b Howarth EW, Stalknecht DE, Kirkland PD (2001). "Bluetongue, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, and other Orbivirus-related diseases.". In Williams ES, Baker IK (eds.). Infectious Diseases of Wild Mammals (third ed.). Ames, Iowa, USA: Iowa State University Press. pp. 77–97.
  3. ^ "Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in White-tailed Deer from the On-line Michigan Wildlife Disease Manual". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  4. ^ "Diseases Caused by the Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Serogroup" (PDF). Center for Food Security and Public Health. Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics. 2006.