Virus detected in Illinois' white-tailed deer population
SPRINGFIELD - State officials say a gnat-borne virus that often kills white-tailed deer but poses no risk to people has surfaced in Illinois.
Epizootic hemorrhagic (eh-pih-zoh-AHT'-ik hehm-or-AJ'-ik) disease causes high fever and severe internal bleeding.
Illinois agriculture and natural resources officials say it's been confirmed in captive deer herds in southern Illinois' Franklin and Randolph counties. The virus also is suspected in deaths of wild deer in at least 28 central and southern Illinois counties.
Other animals such as elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep are vulnerable.
Domestic animals such as livestock may become infected but seldom are seriously affected.
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