08/25/2025
FYI. We’ve already seen a few cases of this in deer along the water this year.
https://www.facebook.com/share/16rZd44rpB/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) in Deer 🦌
It’s that time of year when environmental conditions can lead to outbreaks of Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) in white-tailed deer. HD is caused by a virus spread through tiny biting midges, which are most active from late summer into early fall. Cases usually decline once we get a hard frost, which kills off the midges.
📊 HD Updates (as of 8/24/2025):
-109 reports statewide – most coming from the Green River and Bluegrass regions
-204 deer reported sick or dead
-7 diagnostic cases sent for testing: 4 positive, 3 pending
-Positive counties: Lyon, Scott, Warren, Wayne
-Pending counties: Allen, Cumberland
-Reports received from 42 of 120 counties
🔎 What to Know About HD:
-Not a human health concern — HD does not affect people.
-Some deer survive — Recovered deer build immunity, which can be passed to future generations.
-Severity varies — Outbreaks change year to year depending on weather and existing herd immunity.
-Signs of infection may include lethargy, disorientation, difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or head, a bluish tongue, mouth ulcers, or deer lying in/near water to cool down from high fever.
-Deer often found near water — Many deaths occur close to ponds, rivers, or creeks.
-While there is no cure for HD, herds are resilient, and this disease is a natural part of the landscape.
📣 How you can help: If you see a sick or dead deer, or notice unusual behavior, please report it to us. Your reports are vital to tracking HD and understanding its impact.
👉 Learn more here: https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Epizootic-Hemorrhagic-Disease-EHD-and-Blue-Tongue.aspx
👉 Report here: https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Report-Wildlife-Disease.aspx
Together, we can monitor and protect the health of Kentucky’s deer herd.