The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife is giving a regular update of the occurrence of Hemorrhagic Disease in white-tailed deer in the state.
As of September 22, there have been 553 reports of Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) statewide, occurring in 94 counties, with 1,074 deer reported sick or deceased. Occurrences of HD happen in white-tailed deer in Kentucky annually.
While no treatment for wild deer exists for HD, many infected deer never show symptoms, and it typically resolves on its own with no long-term impacts on deer populations. HD is not contagious to humans and does not spread to most pets, and HD is not the same as Chronic Wasting Disease.
Chronic Wasting Disease is a much more serious, fatal disease caused by abnormal proteins that affect white-tailed deer, elk, and other members of the cervid family. There are no known cures or vaccines for CWD and testing can only be done on deceased animals.
If you encounter a sick or dead deer, please report it to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.