EHD cases confirmed in Wisconsin cows
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has confirmed that samples taken from non-lactating dairy cattle in Waukesha County tested positive for the virus that causes epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). This disease has also been detected in tissues from wild and captive deer in the region. FOX6 NOW spoke with Wisconsin State Veterinarian Dr. Darlene Konkle about this issue.
WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wisconsin. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has confirmed that non-lactating dairy cows in Waukesha County have tested positive for epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus.
Officials noted that the disease has also been detected in tissue samples from wild and captive deer in the area.
About epizootic hemorrhagic disease
The details:
EHD is a viral infection transmitted by biting flies, commonly known as midges or no-see-ums. The disease typically surfaces in late summer and early fall, when insect populations peak, and new cases generally decline after the first hard frost of the season.
According to a press release, Wisconsin last reported a case of EHD in cattle in 2013. However, unlike deer, cattle rarely show symptoms of the viral disease.
Symptoms of the disease
Dig Deeper:
When cattle show symptoms, they may include lameness, fever, weight loss, excessive salivation and sores on the limbs, mouth or teats.
Although symptoms are rarely severe in cattle, signs such as lesions in the mouth, teats, or hooves may closely resemble exotic animal diseases, requiring additional testing for a definitive diagnosis.
There is no treatment for EHD.
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State officials stressed that there is no evidence that EHD can infect humans. People are not at risk from insect bites or from consuming or handling meat and milk from infected cattle or deer.
What herd owners should do
What you can do:
Herd owners observing symptoms in livestock cattle or deer should consult a veterinarian to confirm a diagnosis.
A veterinarian may submit samples of blood, spleen, lungs, or lymph nodes for laboratory testing to differentiate EHD from other diseases with similar symptoms.
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If a foreign animal disease is also suspected, herd owners should work with their veterinarian to report it immediately to a DATCP district veterinarian.
The source : The information in this article was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
Gn Health
