The provincial government confirmed on Friday nearly 100 whitetail deer found dead around Grand Forks succumbed to epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD).
A news release from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship confirmed previous speculation that EHD was the cause of a spike in deer deaths that were first reported in mid-September. Through the Grand Forks Wildlife Association, biologists reached out to the public to report dead deer and collected samples from carcasses.
“Following sampling and testing, the diagnosis was confirmed by the Province's Animal Health Centre,” the release stated.
By Oct. 1, close to 100 deer have been found dead under mysterious circumstances, the news release added.
EHD is an infectious and fatal disease affecting white-tailed deer, mule deer and bighorn sheep. While the deaths have been sudden and upsetting for many, the release stated EHD is part of the natural cycle.
“The outbreak is expected to end when the weather becomes cool and wet, or there is a hard frost,” the statement read.
There is no direct evidence that the disease can be transmitted to humans and there have been no cases of the disease in humans. However, to prevent any potential risk of transmission or infection, Health Canada and the World Health Organization recommend people not eat meat or other parts of an animal infected with EHD.
The Province has worked in partnership and with support from community members. While managers and stewards cannot prevent outbreaks, reporting dead and sick wildlife is important. Anyone who sees wildlife exhibiting any symptoms, such as weight loss, drooling, poor co-ordination, stumbling or that appear to be generally sick with no obvious reason, is asked to report it through the 24/7 Report All Poachers and Polluters Line: 1 877 952-7277
Wildlife Association president Jeff Gailey has started a contract to remove dead deer to take the pressure off. To remove dead animals within the Grand Forks area, call or text Jeff Gailey at 250 442-9637.
The summer and fall of 2021 saw an outbreak of bluetongue in the Grand Forks and Christina Lake area decimating the area’s California Mountain Sheep population, then spread to the urban deer, killing around an estimated one-quarter of the population. Bluetongue and EHD are different diseases, but are both spread by biting flies and cause death by internal hemorrhaging.
