The Province of B.C. is monitoring deer on the Gulf Islands with the belief that there is an outbreak of a new disease to the area.
Adenovirus hemorrhagic disease (AHD) is suspected as the cause of death of over 60 deer on at least two Gulf Islands, however, the government says that further testing is needed to confirm a definitive diagnosis.
AHD is not uncommon in mule deer the United States, where it has been reported in Wyoming, Oregon, California and Washington state.
In a press release issued on Friday, the province suggests that there is no known human health risk from the virus and no evidence has been found that shows it can be transmitted to humans. Government research has also indicated that it is not transmissible to livestock or pets either.
Despite appearing to have no risk, the government is advising hunters in the area to not consume meat from animals found ill, dead or acting abnormally prior to death.
Provincial wildlife health staff, alongside a network of wildlife professionals, have been investigating the possible AHD outbreak since dead deer were discovered on Galiano Island.
According to a B.C. government release, the disease was discovered in California and AHD cases have been recorded across the western United States.
Wildlife health experts are using improved diagnostic tools in order to recognize the disease more often, highlighting that there are current outbreaks underway in California and Oregon.
British Columbia has never before documented the disease.
Mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose and caribou are all susceptible to the disease, with members of the black-tailed deer family (including mule deer) appearing to be most severely affected.
In addition, the government says that fawns are far more susceptible than adults and suffer much higher death rates.
“The disease course is usually rapid and fatal as the virus damages small blood vessels in the lungs and intestines,” reads a statement in the release.
Signs that a deer may have contracted the disease include difficulty breathing, foaming or drooling from the mouth, diarrhea (sometimes bloody) and seizures.
The province outlines that more chronic symptoms include ulcers and abscesses in the mouth and throat.
Anyone observing deer displaying these signs is being asked to report it to the Wildlife Health Laboratory at 250 751-7246.
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Graham Cox
