Hemorrhagic Disease in Deer – Two viruses affecting native and domestic deer

Hemorrhagic disease (HD) is the collective term that describes two viruses: Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease virus (EHD) and bluetongue virus (BT). Both viruses are spread by insect vectors and pose significant health threats to the state's native and domestic deer populations. TVMDL offers several testing options that assist with deer import/export, vaccine development, and in the diagnosis of sick deer. In this episode, Assistant Agency Director for Diagnostic Services and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension veterinarian Dr. Terry Hensley discusses the effects of each virus, how they're spread, and the role diagnostic testing plays in deer health.