Bluetongue disease identified in deer near Eureka
by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
October 9, 2015
Testing recently confirmed that bluetongue, a viral hemorrhagic disease, is present in deer in the Eureka area. Jennifer Ramsey, FWP’s wildlife veterinarian, confirmed bluetongue in four samples submitted from deer that died in the Eureka area. FWP staff has been working with Ramsey to determine what was killing deer in the Eureka area beginning in mid September.
According to Eureka area Wildlife Biologist Tim Thier, approximately 60 dead deer that likely died from the disease, have been reported, and a few reports of dead deer are still coming in.
Bluetongue affects white-tailed deer, antelope, and domestic sheep. Other wildlife may be affected but to a lesser degree. The disease is transmitted by a small biting midge with the onset of disease typically occurring in late summer to early fall. FWP Wildlife Manager Neil Anderson notes that the deer mortalities should end shortly after a killing frost, which will kill the midges.
FWP will continue monitoring the impacts of the disease on deer in the Eureka area.. Anderson asks people to report deer that appear to be sick or that die from unexplained reasons anywhere in the region to FWP at 406-752-5501. "We are trying to document any movement of the disease outside of the Eureka area," says Anderson.
The bluetongue virus does not affect people. Meat from deer with the disease is safe to eat; however, FWP advises that people do not harvest animals that appear to be sick.
Historically hemorrhagic diseases like bluetongue were found east of the Rocky Mountain Front in Montana. Several years ago, a number of white-tailed deer died from a related disease in the Hamilton area. This is the first reported case in this area.
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