SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today confirmed an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) affecting white-tailed deer in areas of three counties in north central West Virginia.
According to Paul Johansen, chief of the WVDNR’s Wildlife Resources Section, samples collected from Monongalia, Marion and Barbour counties tested positive for the viruses that cause EHD. These viruses are not directly transmitted from deer to deer but typically by small biting flies, which are killed by hard frost. Additionally, EHD is not contagious to humans.
“While the effects of an outbreak may seem concerning, EHD is not a long-term threat to the overall health or sustainability of the deer population in West Virginia,” Johansen said. “Deer populations in impacted areas will rebound with next year’s fawns and migration from adjacent areas.”
This wildlife disease should not be confused with chronic wasting disease (CWD), which has been detected in six counties in the state’s eastern panhandle and is a long-term threat to the health of West Virginia’s deer population. Those who have questions about EHD or wish to report deer mortalities should visit WVdnr.gov/contact to get contact information for their local WVDNR district office.
