Disease concerns rise with temperatures

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is asking for the public’s help in reporting epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and bluetounge disease, two diseases that have outbreaks during the late summer. 

Both diseases symptoms are fever, dehydration, salivation, incoordination, swelling, lesions, internal bleeding and docile behavior toward humans. 

Both diseases can spread through wildlife and livestock populations. Bighorn sheep, white-tail deer, elk, pronghorn and mule deer are all susceptible to both EHD and bluetounge. 

Bluetounge and EHD are spread through biting flies and gnats. 

With high drought rates across the state wildlife species spend more time at water sources, increasing the rate of diseases spread by insects. Diseased animals will often travel towards water sources before dying. 

As more water sources dry up, more animals will gather at smaller water sources, exposing larger populations to disease.  

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor 86.3% of the state is experiencing drought. 38% of the state is abnormally dry, 35% is in moderate drought, 10% is in severe drought and 2% is in extreme drought. 

These diseases are more common before the first frost of the year. With Nebraska being in a state of drought, there is more time for disease to spread. 

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is asking the public to report all unexplained death or animals showing signs of disease, especially near water sources. 

Reports can be made to any Game and Parks offices across the state.