Deer in Virginia Show Signs of Hemorrhagic Disease

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is fielding a handful of reliable sightings of deer that seem to have fallen victim to a viral condition known as hemorrhagic disease (HD). It’s not a new problem, but the recent clustering has enough hunters and landowners raising eyebrows.

Hemorrhagic disease is caused by a family of related viruses that pop up every summer or early fall in white‑tailed deer across the southeastern United States. In Virginia it’s traditionally been more common east of the Blue Ridge, where the humid climate gives the insect vectors a perfect breeding ground.

What makes HD recognizable is the odd pattern: healthy‑looking deer, often in good body condition, turn up dead near ponds, streams, or other water sources. They tend to seek water to cool down a feverish body, only to be found floating or sprawled on the shore. Symptoms can be a little subtle—maybe a slight fever or a swollen head and neck—then progress to lameness, labored breathing, and, unfortunately, death.

The culprits that spread the virus are tiny biting gnats and midges. These insects are most active from late summer until the first hard frost, so outbreaks usually follow that seasonal rhythm. When a local hotspot hits, it isn’t unusual to see dozens of deer turning up in a short span, which can dent the local population for a while. Historically, though, numbers tend to bounce back within a few years once the cold weather shuts the insects down.

Good news for people: the disease does not jump to humans or domestic pets. Livestock, especially ruminants, can be infected, but there haven’t been any widespread production losses reported in Virginia yet. Hunters can also breathe a sigh of relief—handling or cooking venison from an infected deer isn’t known to be a risk. Still, if a deer looks obviously sick, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid eating it.

If you happen to spot a dead or visibly ill deer and think HD might be involved, please don’t try to move, kill, or disturb the animal. The DWR asks you to call the Wildlife Helpline at 855‑571‑9003 or email vawildlifeconflict@usda.gov with the county, nearby community or landmark, and how many deer you observed. They keep an annual log of these reports, but a phone call doesn’t always guarantee a field visit.

At this point there’s no known way to prevent or control HD in wild deer. The best hope is nature’s own thermostat—cold weather usually puts the virus and its insect carriers to bed. For the latest updates and more details, check the DWR’s webpage on hemorrhagic disease.