Bluetongue and epizootic haemorrhagic disease viruses in deer in the UK

Background: Bluetongue and epizootic haemorrhagic disease are Orbivirus diseases of ruminants that have been increasingly encountered in Europe. While epizootic haemorrhagic disease has not yet been reported in the UK, recent bluetongue outbreaks affecting domestic ruminants have led to the implementation of control zones across parts of the UK. Wild deer (Cervidae) are susceptible to the diseases, but are not governed by movement restrictions placed on domestic livestock; wild deer populations present surveillance challenges compared with farmed species. Clinical signs in deer may differ from those seen in other ruminant species, clinicians should be aware of this as part of their responsibilities in the identification and reporting of notifiable diseases.

Aim of the article: This article provides information on bluetongue and epizootic haemorrhagic disease in deer so that veterinarians may be aware of the clinical presentations compared with other ruminants, and of both the similarities and differences between the two diseases.