MISSOULA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks suspects that hemorrhagic disease (HD) is responsible for recent white-tailed deer deaths west of Missoula along the Clark Fork River and around Frenchtown. FWP has also received a few localized reports near the towns of Potomac and Lincoln in the Blackfoot Valley. All of these cases are suspect but have not yet been confirmed through lab testing.
The disease has been confirmed in some other areas of Montana in recent months. Outbreaks often occur in late summer and early fall and typically subside once a hard frost reduces midge activity.
Two common types of hemorrhagic disease are epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and blue tongue (BT). Both are viral diseases transmitted by biting midges and primarily affect white-tailed deer, though mule deer and other species can also be impacted.
FWP staff are monitoring the situation. It is not necessary for the public to report additional dead deer suspected of having HD in the Missoula and Frenchtown areas. Potential cases in outlying areas of the west-central Montana region could be shared with FWP by emailing fwprg22@mt.gov.
While the disease can cause significant losses in localized deer populations, outbreaks are usually short-lived and confined to certain areas. With the recent below freezing temperatures, FWP expects mortalities related to EHD/BT to slow.
Hemorrhagic diseases are not a risk to humans, and meat from animals that appear healthy at the time of harvest remains safe to eat when properly cooked. Hunters should avoid harvesting or consuming animals that appear sick.
FWP will continue to track the extent of the outbreak and provide updates as needed. For more information about HD in Montana, visit fwp.mt.gov/conservation/diseases.
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