Disease impacting deer is detected in West Virginia

Wildlife officials in West Virginia said they have confirmed an outbreak of a disease affecting white-tailed deer in parts of three counties. Viruses that cause epizootic hemorrhagic disease, also known as EHD, has been found in samples collected from Monongalia, Marion and Barbour counties in north central West Virginia, according to a news release from the state’s Division of Natural Resources. The viruses are not directly transmitted from deer to deer but typically small biting flies. State officials said EHD is not contagious to humans. Officials said the disease should not be confused with chronic wasting disease, which has been detected in six counties in the state’s eastern panhandle and is a long-term threat to the health of West Virginia’s deer population.