Deer Virus May Be Causing Increase In Dead Deer In Yards Near Mountain - Councilperson Aymar-Blair Provides Guidance

Councilperson Dan Aymar-Blair, representing Ward 4 near Mount Beacon, gave residents guidance during this week’s City Council meeting on what to do if they found a dead deer in their yard: call the Highway Department to remove it. Additionally, the Highlands Current reported early in September about the increase in dead dear in the region, which New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) confirmed was the result of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), which is carried by a midge who bites a deer.

One was found near the Fishkill Creek in Madam Brett Park, and 32 EHD fatalities in the Cold Spring area and 26 across the Hudson River near Goshen, according to the article. Depending on the movement patterns of the local midge population, say officials, the disease could be spreading. It could be paused by prolonged freezing weather.

According to the article, written by Brian PJ Cronin: “After a deer is bitten by a midge carrying the virus, it takes about 7 days for symptoms to appear. Once they do, the end comes swiftly, usually 8 to 36 hours after being affected. Besides acting disoriented, appearing lame and losing their normal fear of humans, infected deer have high fevers that cause extreme thirst, which is why most deceased deer are found near water sources (one of the first reported cases was a doe found in a Putnam County lake). Other visible symptoms include swelling of the head, neck, tongue and lips.”

According to the article, and to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the disease is not transmittable to humans or pets, like dogs. It is limited to white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn antelope. In other words: ruminants, which are hoofed, even-toed animals, according to ODFW. Colder weather with a freeze would drive the midges into hibernation mode.

Though the disease is not transmissible to humans, it can cause deer to die quickly near humans, and begin decomposing, which can cause a foul smell. The dead deer should not be eaten. According to the Highlands Current: “Deer that succumb to EHD decompose at a much higher rate than normal as a result of weakened blood vessel walls and an elevated body temperature from fever. This leads to extremely rapid meat spoilage, so infected deer should not be eaten.”

The article encourages people to contact the wildlife department at the DEC’s Region 3 office in New Paltz by calling 845-256-3098 to report sick or dead deer. Councilperson Dan encouraged Beaconites to call Beacon’s Highway Department at (845) 831-0932 and by emailing the Highway Superintendent, Michael Manzi, mmanzi@cityofbeacon.org.