Blue Tongue Disease in Deer and Farm Livestock
There are two distinct diseases commonly associated with blue-tongue symptoms, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and Blue Tongue Virus (BTV). While symptoms can be similar between the two diseases, other details are not, including risk of crossover between deer and farm livestock.
Blue Tongue Virus (BTV)
- Is uncommon in cattle
- Fatality rates are high for deer
- Was detected in recent samples taken from dead deer in Stevens County
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)
- Fatality rates are high for deer
- Can transfer to farm livestock
- Effects on sheep and cattle are mild
- Was not detected in recent samples taken from deer in Stevens County
More information is available through the links below.
- WSU lab confirms bluetongue virus killing deer, livestock, WSU article, Sept 30, 2015
- Bluetongue in Cattle, Utah State University Extension