The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has scheduled a meeting
to present information to the public about the scope and impact
of an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) on deer in
western North Carolina. “We plan to present information about HD
in general, as well as discuss expectations that hunters,
landowners, farmers and others can have for this season and
future years,” said Chris Kreh, a biologist with the Commission.
“This is mainly an informational meeting, though we may provide
some recommendations for hunters with specific management goals
for deer on their property.” Biologists are observing an
increasing number of hemorrhagic disease cases in white-tailed
deer in the western part of the state, especially in Caldwell,
Wilkes and Surry counties. The disease has no human health
implications, but is one of the most significant endemic viral
and sometimes fatal diseases of white-tailed deer in the
southeastern U.S. Transported by a biting midge (or gnat), the
virus enters deer through the b