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News Brief

Sept. 28, 2023Jefferson City, Mo. |  By: Jeremy Werner

MDC urging hunters to watch out for two deer diseases

deer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation is monitoring moderate levels of hemorrhagic disease activity in the state's deer population this summer.

Deer affected by HD have been confirmed in several Missouri counties and the MDC has received over 300 reports of suspected HD cases from various locations statewide.

HD spreads to deer through the bites of native midges. Outbreaks are most common in Missouri from July to October and typically cease after a frost kills off the midges.

Symptoms of HD in deer can vary but may include reluctance to move, breathing difficulties, and swelling of the head, neck, or tongue. Infected deer may exhibit high fevers, leading them to seek water sources.

Additionally, it's important to distinguish between HD and chronic wasting disease, as both affect Missouri's deer population and exhibit similar symptoms.

To distinguish between the two, or for more information about HD, visit mdc.mo.gov.