MONTGOMERY-Many different types of diseases affect deer in Alabama. Much like household pets, deer are also susceptible to a number of different worms and parasites. While most of these diseases and parasites are relatively harmless, a few of them require special attention from hunters and outdoorsmen. Some of the commonly encountered deer parasites and diseases include lungworms, liver flukes, nasal bots, mange and cutaneous fibromas (warts).
Rarely do these diseases and parasites cause any serious problems for the animal, even though they do not look very pleasant. They are not dangerous to humans during consumption as long as the venison is cooked thoroughly and a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit is reached.
A disease of great significance in the Southeast is hemorrhagic disease (HD), caused by 
one of two viruses, the epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus or bluetongue virus. These two viruses are transmitted by biting midges, most commonly known as “no see-ums.” The disease causes hemorrhaging, lesions in the mouth and on the tongue, and sloughed or broken hooves. Affected deer may be found dead near streams or other water sources, usually in late summer or early fall. The mortality rate for the disease is generally between 25 and 50 percent. HD is prevalent throughout Alabama and tends to be more of a problem during abnormally dry years. There is no cure for hemorrhagic disease. Indications to hunters that a deer survived HD are sloughed hooves on harvested animals.
Two other diseases of importance are chronic wasting disease (CWD) and bovine tuberculosis (BT). These diseases can pose a significant threat to deer herds, but neither has been detected in Alabama. Both CWD and BT are transmitted through animal-to-animal contact and both cause extremely high mortality rates. Tough laws banning cervid importation are important to preventing these potentially devastating diseases from entering Alabama.
While there are many diseases that can affect wildlife populations, there is no need to panic. Diseases have been around as long as the animals they infect. In most cases, animals will develop immunities or the disease may recede to a level that is unnoticeable to humans. Inoculations, even if available, aren’t practical on wild populations and 
therefore are not an efficient means of dealing with wildlife diseases. The most practical steps to reducing the impact of diseases on our deer herd are to provide the best habitat practical and not implement practices that encourage animal-to-animal contact.
If you see a suspected diseased animal, contact your state wildlife agency as soon as possible. If feasible, document with notes and photographic evidence to assist the responder in diagnosing the disease.
For more information, contact Brandon Howell, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries at Brandon.Howell@dcnr.alabama.gov.
MEDIA RELEASE/Brandon Howell, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
