Deer Virus Detected In Waukesha County Dairy Cows
State says EHD is spreading in deer herds, and now cows, but poses no risk to people or the milk supply
A dairy farm in Wisconsin. Photo by William Garrett / Creative Commons.
A viral disease infecting thousands of deer across Wisconsin has been found in dairy cows in Waukesha County, according to state officials.
The samples came from dairy cattle that were not producing milk, according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, or DATCP.
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, or EHD, is a viral disease transmitted by flies sometimes called midges, the state said. It’s often present in late summer and early fall.
“EHD does not infect humans, and generally causes mild or inapparent infections in domestic cattle and small ruminants,” according to the Cornell University’s Wildlife Health Lab.
DATCP said humans are not at risk from insect bites, nor from “direct exposure to or consumption of meat or milk from EHD-infected cattle or deer.”
“Unlike in deer, it is unusual for cattle to experience symptoms of the disease,” the department said in a statement.
However, infected cattle with EHD symptoms can experience lameness, weight loss, fever or sores on their legs, mouth or teats.
“There is no treatment for EHD,” DATCP said. “These cases indicate that virus is circulating in the environment.”
It’s not the first time Wisconsin cattle have experienced the disease, according to the state. There was one previous case in 2013.
DNR reports ongoing outbreak in deer
Even though the state says the disease is rare in cows, Wisconsin’s deer population has seen thousands of cases across multiple counties.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported an ongoing EHD outbreak in deer populations in Washington and Waukesha counties just last week.
Washington County has over 1,200 EHD cases, DNR records show. Waukesha has 400.
Suspected cases of the disease are also reported out of Dodge, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Jefferson counties, according to DNR reports.
Milwaukee County only has 10 estimated cases.
“Wisconsin is on the far northern edge of the home range of the flies that carry the virus and so far only has sporadic outbreaks of this disease,” the DNR said.
Deer will have foaming around the nose and mouth, and appear weak. To reduce fever, they often lie in cool water, where carcasses of animals that have succumbed to the disease can be found, the DNR said.
The EHD virus doesn’t survive in carcasses, the DNR said. But the agency advises people not to handle animal carcasses due to other disease risks.
Cases usually drop off after the first freeze reduces the number of infecting insects, state officials said.
Anyone observing cattle or farm-raised deer herds with EHD symptoms should work with their veterinarian to positively identify the disease, DATCP said. EHD cases must be reported to DATCP within 10 days.
The state said cattle and deer herders should pay close attention to parasite control and avoid overcrowding areas.
Viral disease infecting thousands of Wisconsin deer found in Waukesha County dairy cows was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
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