HOOK AND FUR By Bob Brown The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced it has found some white-tailed deer in eastern Washington effected with the bluetongue virus. It is a common virus transmitted by biting gnats found at water sources where deer congregate during dry conditions. Every year, in late summer and early fall, a few white-tailed deer are lost to bluetongue and a similar virus known as EHD (epizootic hemorrhagic disease). Bluetongue, also known as BTV is a disease that causes high morbidity and mortality in goats, cattle, other domestic animals and wild ruminants such as deer, elk and pronghorn antelope. Early symptoms include lethargy, disorientation, lameness, excessive salivation and unresponsiveness to the presence of humans. Other signs include foaming at the mouth, swelling of the face, lips and tongue which gives it a blue appearance, also heavy nasal discharge, and frequent snorting. Some animals also develop foot lesions that can result in lameness and in sheep lead to knee-walking. In cattle, the constant changing position of their feet has given bluetongue the nickname The Dancing Disease. WDFW veterinarian Kristin Mansfield said the department does not know precisely how many deer have been affected, but reports have been more widespread and numerous than in past years, probably because of the severe drought. As of September 17, the department had received reports of suspected bluetongue or EHD deaths in Asotin, Columbia Ferry, Garfield , Lincoln , Pend Oreille , and Spokane , Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman counties. WDFW wildlife managers said the emergence of the disease will not affect this year's hunting seasons. Archery deer hunting season is underway, and muzzleloader and modern firearm seasons start next month. The department will continue to monitor effects of the disease until it subsides, which usually ends with the arrival of colder, wetter weather or by the arrival of the first, hard frost that kills the disease-carrying gnats. The department urges people who observe suspected bluetongue or EHD in white-tailed deer to call WDFW's eastern regional office in Spokane at 509-892- 1001 or the department's dead wildlife hotline at 1-800-606-8768. Bluetongue and EHD are spread by biting gnats, not deer-to-deer, and are not transmissible to humans. Nonetheless, WDFW discourages hunters from shooting and consuming animals that are obviously sick. Other wildlife species, including mule deer are rarely affected. Mansfield said the disease often kills deer so quickly (usually within a day or two) their bodies remain in good condition, but others may not die immediately, stop eating and become sickly. Incubation period for those diseases is five to 10 days, so affected deer may be observed for a couple of weeks after the first hard frost of fall.
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