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EHD is discovered in Southern Ohio Cattle and Deer - William P. Shulaw DVM, MS, Extension Veterinarian, Cattle/Sheep, The Ohio State University
Perhaps some of you have seen the recent press release from the Ohio Department of Agriculture concerning a recent outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Pike county. This disease is usually seen in white-tailed deer where it is sometimes referred to as hemorrhagic disease, and outbreaks are relatively common in the southeastern United States. Ohio had its first confirmed outbreak of this disease in deer in 2002, primarily in Meigs, Gallia, and Vinton counties, and again in 2003 in Brown and Clermont counties. In August of 2007, EHD was reported in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Green and Washington counties in Pennsylvania. The disease is often fatal in white-tailed deer, but deer may become infected and show no signs at all. The virus that causes the disease is closely related to the bluetongue virus (BT), which causes a very similar disease in deer, and blood feeding gnats, or midges, of the Culicoides genus spread both viruses in nature. These viruses are not contagious from animal-to-animal, and humans are not affected by them. Deer that recover from these viruses are safe for people to consume.
The rather unique feature of EHD in this latest Ohio outbreak is that the virus has affected at least two cattle herds. The primary signs observed have been excessive salivation or drooling, cloudy nasal discharge, moderate to severe lameness, poor appetite, and a severe drop in milk production in the dairy herd. Examination of affected animals in these herds has revealed mild hemorrhages in the tissues of the mouth in most animals with erosions and ulcer formation in some. In addition, the lame animals have one or more feet that are somewhat swollen and painful to the touch in the area of the coronary band (top edge of the hoof) especially at the heel. Both beef and dairy cattle are affected, and both cows and calves are affected in each herd. EHD virus infection has been suspected in a small number of additional herds in the area, but this has not yet been confirmed. Preliminary tests for EHD have been positive for some of these animals, and additional testing is being carried out to further characterize the virus and the extent of the infection in the herds. Of the 10 different serotypes of EHD virus known worldwide, only two have been reported in the USA. Testing is also being done on several dead deer found in the area, and reports as of today indicated that significant numbers of deer have died.
Like bluetongue virus, the virus of EHD does not usually cause clinical disease in cattle, but it can. Indiana reported clinical EHD in cattle in 1996. Early reports indicate that at least two other states currently experiencing EHD outbreaks have seen disease in cattle herds. Unlike bluetongue virus, EHD virus does not appear to cause clinical disease in sheep, although it can infect this species as well. A small flock of sheep is present on one of the Ohio farms, but the animals are showing no signs of disease at this time. It is too early to predict what will be observed this year in Ohio, but it is possible that a number of cattle herds will become infected. Experience with these viruses (BT and EHD) in previous outbreaks and in other countries suggests that the number of animals that show signs in an infected herd may be as few as 5-10%. Cattle with signs of EHD usually recover within two to three weeks. Affected dairy cows may not return to their previous level of milk production until the next lactation.
Although most EHD infections in cattle are mild or go completely unnoticed, the virus can affect the developing calf in a pregnant animal. The most critical period for the fetus is between 70 and 120 days of gestation. Loss of the developing fetus or developmental deformities may occur if it is infected during this period. Producers who suspect the disease in their herd or area may wish to consult with their veterinarian to consider the best plan for detecting possible pregnancy loss this fall. Bluetongue virus can cause temporary sterility in bulls, especially following an episode of clinical disease. At this time, we have no information on this possibility with EHD infection.
There is no successful treatment for EHD virus infections in cattle. Supportive treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and supplemental feed may be helpful in affected animals showing severe lameness or those that go off feed. Animals recovering from the infection may harbor the virus in their blood for several weeks which aids in the continued transmission of the virus. However, the biting midges that spread the virus will cease activity after the first killing frost and transmission will stop. No vaccine for EHD is currently available. In areas where there is good information that EHD is occurring, usually apparent by deer losses, producers may wish to step up their fly control efforts to help repel the midges until frost occurs in their area.
This is a developing situation, and the State Veterinarian's office is receiving reports of dead and dying deer from some other parts of the state outside the area initially discovered in Pike/Highland counties. If you believe that you may have cattle affected by EHD virus, contact your veterinarian or the State Veterinarian's office. You may find pictures of some affected cows on our website at: http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/1985.htm. A good additional resource from the USDA on EHD and BT in livestock and deer can be found at: http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/gray_book02/fad/blt.php
The USDA in Ohio would like to be notified of ALL cases of disease resembling the description of EHD in the above article. This would include all species of domestic livestock or captive deer. The telephone number for the USDA office in Pickerington is (614) 856-4735 and the number for the State Veterinarian's office in Reynoldsburg is (614) 728-6220.
Perhaps some of you have seen the recent press release from the Ohio Department of Agriculture concerning a recent outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Pike county. This disease is usually seen in white-tailed deer where it is sometimes referred to as hemorrhagic disease, and outbreaks are relatively common in the southeastern United States. Ohio had its first confirmed outbreak of this disease in deer in 2002, primarily in Meigs, Gallia, and Vinton counties, and again in 2003 in Brown and Clermont counties. In August of 2007, EHD was reported in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Green and Washington counties in Pennsylvania. The disease is often fatal in white-tailed deer, but deer may become infected and show no signs at all. The virus that causes the disease is closely related to the bluetongue virus (BT), which causes a very similar disease in deer, and blood feeding gnats, or midges, of the Culicoides genus spread both viruses in nature. These viruses are not contagious from animal-to-animal, and humans are not affected by them. Deer that recover from these viruses are safe for people to consume.
The rather unique feature of EHD in this latest Ohio outbreak is that the virus has affected at least two cattle herds. The primary signs observed have been excessive salivation or drooling, cloudy nasal discharge, moderate to severe lameness, poor appetite, and a severe drop in milk production in the dairy herd. Examination of affected animals in these herds has revealed mild hemorrhages in the tissues of the mouth in most animals with erosions and ulcer formation in some. In addition, the lame animals have one or more feet that are somewhat swollen and painful to the touch in the area of the coronary band (top edge of the hoof) especially at the heel. Both beef and dairy cattle are affected, and both cows and calves are affected in each herd. EHD virus infection has been suspected in a small number of additional herds in the area, but this has not yet been confirmed. Preliminary tests for EHD have been positive for some of these animals, and additional testing is being carried out to further characterize the virus and the extent of the infection in the herds. Of the 10 different serotypes of EHD virus known worldwide, only two have been reported in the USA. Testing is also being done on several dead deer found in the area, and reports as of today indicated that significant numbers of deer have died.
Like bluetongue virus, the virus of EHD does not usually cause clinical disease in cattle, but it can. Indiana reported clinical EHD in cattle in 1996. Early reports indicate that at least two other states currently experiencing EHD outbreaks have seen disease in cattle herds. Unlike bluetongue virus, EHD virus does not appear to cause clinical disease in sheep, although it can infect this species as well. A small flock of sheep is present on one of the Ohio farms, but the animals are showing no signs of disease at this time. It is too early to predict what will be observed this year in Ohio, but it is possible that a number of cattle herds will become infected. Experience with these viruses (BT and EHD) in previous outbreaks and in other countries suggests that the number of animals that show signs in an infected herd may be as few as 5-10%. Cattle with signs of EHD usually recover within two to three weeks. Affected dairy cows may not return to their previous level of milk production until the next lactation.
Although most EHD infections in cattle are mild or go completely unnoticed, the virus can affect the developing calf in a pregnant animal. The most critical period for the fetus is between 70 and 120 days of gestation. Loss of the developing fetus or developmental deformities may occur if it is infected during this period. Producers who suspect the disease in their herd or area may wish to consult with their veterinarian to consider the best plan for detecting possible pregnancy loss this fall. Bluetongue virus can cause temporary sterility in bulls, especially following an episode of clinical disease. At this time, we have no information on this possibility with EHD infection.
There is no successful treatment for EHD virus infections in cattle. Supportive treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and supplemental feed may be helpful in affected animals showing severe lameness or those that go off feed. Animals recovering from the infection may harbor the virus in their blood for several weeks which aids in the continued transmission of the virus. However, the biting midges that spread the virus will cease activity after the first killing frost and transmission will stop. No vaccine for EHD is currently available. In areas where there is good information that EHD is occurring, usually apparent by deer losses, producers may wish to step up their fly control efforts to help repel the midges until frost occurs in their area.
This is a developing situation, and the State Veterinarian's office is receiving reports of dead and dying deer from some other parts of the state outside the area initially discovered in Pike/Highland counties. If you believe that you may have cattle affected by EHD virus, contact your veterinarian or the State Veterinarian's office. You may find pictures of some affected cows on our website at: http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/1985.htm. A good additional resource from the USDA on EHD and BT in livestock and deer can be found at: http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/gray_book02/fad/blt.php
The USDA in Ohio would like to be notified of ALL cases of disease resembling the description of EHD in the above article. This would include all species of domestic livestock or captive deer. The telephone number for the USDA office in Pickerington is (614) 856-4735 and the number for the State Veterinarian's office in Reynoldsburg is (614) 728-6220.
