EHD virus in deer
Human Health Risk
Ecological Risk
Socioeconomic Risk
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Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is an infectious viral disease that kills wild animals, especially deer. There is no evidence that humans can become infected with the
EHD virus. Most outbreaks in New Jersey have been documented in 20-year cycles.
What’s at risk?
White-tailed deer populations statewide are at risk
from EHD.
What are the ecological impacts in New
Jersey?
EHD can have a significant effect on deer populations, but the disease does not wipe out entire
herds, and does not affect domesticated animals.
Historic documentation shows that up to 1,000
animals have been killed in a single year. New
Jersey is currently experiencing a large overpopulation of deer, estimated at about 200,000 animals.
What are the socioeconomic impacts in
New Jersey?
EHD poses minimal impacts, primarily associated
with dead animal removal.
What’s being done?
The New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection Division of Fish & Wildlife monitors
the occurrence of EHD, and documents the cases
in counties where it occurs.
STRESSOR SUMMARIES
123
Final Report of the New Jersey State Comparative Risk Project