Epizootic haemorrhagic disease: how to spot and report the disease

Advice on what to do if you suspect there is an outbreak of this infectious disease and measures to prevent its spread. 

Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) affects deer, cattle and other ruminants (animals that chew cud, like goats and sheep). It does not affect humans or food safety.

The disease can cause large outbreaks in susceptible animals. This can result in trade and movement restrictions.
 

Clinical signs

Clinical signs are only likely to be seen when infection is acute (severe). In such cases the main symptoms are:

• fever
• weakness
• lack of appetite
• more salivation than usual
• difficulty swallowing
• skin rash on the udder
• bleeding (skin and internal issues)
• swollen red skin near hooves
• swollen lining of the mouth
• mouth ulcers
• difficulty breathing

• sudden death (particularly in deer)

Wild ruminants such as deer may also:

• have a swollen face
• have redness of the eyes and mouth
• have excessive bleeding (in diarrhoea and urine)
• be dehydrated

In other cases infection is not detectable.

How epizootic haemorrhagic disease is spread

The virus is usually spread when midges that carry it bite animals that can be infected.

EHD could spread to the UK if infected midges are carried by the wind. The risk of this happening depends on:

• whether disease spreads to animals in nearby areas of Europe
• the presence of infected midges in nearby areas of Europe
• weather patterns

EHD could also spread to the UK if infected live animals are imported from countries where EHD is circulating.

The possibility of transmission through germinal products such as semen or embryos, or iatrogenic transmission (e.g. contaminated needles) is unknown but cannot be excluded.

Human health implications

There are no human health implications because the disease is not zoonotic.

How to control the disease

If the disease is confirmed the outbreak will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases.

There is no commercially available vaccine to protect against EHD.

Legislation

Epizootic haemorrhagic disease is covered by the Specified Diseases (Notification and Slaughter) Order 1992 and the Specified Diseases (Notification) Order 1996.

Biosecurity

Biosecurity is about being aware of the ways disease can spread and taking every practical measure to minimise the risk of disease spreading. The advice details practical things you can do on your farm to help prevent the introduction and spread of epizootic haemorrhagic disease to and from your animals.

Importing animals to Great Britain

Before importing cattle, deer and other ruminants to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) you should:

• get advice from your vet about the risks and the health status of animals
• check for current issues relating to animal imports
• consider asking the seller to test for EHD
• make sure the animals meet the health and test requirements in the model health certificate