A Mortality-Based Description of EHDV and BTV Prevalence in Farmed White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Florida, USA (pdf) - A description of mortalities observed and confirmed in Florida farmed white-tailed deer from 2016-2020. EHDV and BTV accounted for 44% of mortalities, with the greatest proportion of mortalities was observed in young animals (aged 3–6 months). These data provide the first estimate of EHDV and BTV prevalence and virus serotypes among farmed WTD in Florida, within age groups. This suggest HD is a major challenge for captive cervid farming industry in Florida.

Vector Competence of Florida Culicoides insignis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) for Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Serotype-2 (pdf) - In this study, vector competence for EHDV serotype-2 of Culicoides insignis was performed. Field-collected female midges were provided bovine blood spiked with three different titers of EHDV-2. Results suggest that C. insignis is a weak competent vector of EHDV-2 and can transmit infection if high titers of EHDV are ingested. However, due to high denisty of C. insignis in Florida, C. insignis likely plays a part in EHDV-2 transmission in Florida

CHeRI Medgene Labs Vaccine Report (pdf) - CHeRI devised a case-control experiment to determine if vaccinated deer had a greater antibody titer than unvaccinated deer. We conducted our experiment on a Florida deer farm in the months of September and October 2020. CHeRI Director Dr. Samantha Wisely and CHeRI veterinarian Dr. Juan Campos discuss the methods and results of the study, what we can conclude from the study, and future recommendations for deer farmers.

Management of Plant and Arthropod Pests by Deer Farmers in Florida (pdf) - This study tries to provide more resources about pest control practices being utilized by deer farmers is limited. To fill this knowledge gap and to assess if recommended integrated pest management (IPM) programs were being used, we surveyed Florida deer farmers about their pest management programs via an online questionnaire.

Living la Vida T-LoCoH: site fidelity of Florida ranched and wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) during the epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) transmission period (pdf) - Studying movement and space use by ruminant hosts during the transmission season may elucidate EHDV ecology by identifying behaviors that can increase exposure risk. Here we compared home ranges (HRs) and site fidelity metrics within HRs using the T-LoCoH R package and GPS data from collared deer.

Habitat associations of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) abundant on a commercial cervid farm in Florida, USA (pdf) - This research is a first step at understanding which habitats are important to the insects that cause disease in deer. Understanding insect habitat needs will help farmers control these insects on their farm.

Molecular characterization of a novel reassortment Mammalian ortheovirus type 2 isolated from a Florida white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawn (pdf) - This study shows that Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) was found for the first time in farmed white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and likely contributed to the death of a 21 day old white-tailed deer fawn that died after producing profuse foul smelling diarrhea. CHeRI scientists have found that the virus present in white-tailed deer is closely related to MRVs of other mammals, such as pigs, mink, bats, and humans.

Host use patterns of Culicoides spp. biting midges at a big game preserve in Florida, USA, and implications for the transmission of Orbiviruses (pdf) - This study investigated the host range of Culicoides spp. present on a big game preserve in Florida on which a variety of cervids and bovids freely roam

Complete genome sequence of mobuck virus from a Florida white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (pdf) - A report of the complete genome sequence of mobuck virus isolated from a Florida white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in 2017. This is the second report of mobuck virus in the United States and expands the known geographic range of this orbivirus into Florida

Vertical stratification of Culicoides biting midges at a Florida big game preserve (pdf) - This study aimed to determine whether common Culicoides species in Florida stratify vertically and to determine whether strata used by midges corresponded to host use

Characterization of mule deerpox virus in Florida white‑tailed deer fawns expands the known host and geographic range of this emerging pathogen (pdf) - A report of the first genome sequence of mule deerpox virus (MDPV) from a farmed white-tailed deer fawn in the South Central Florida, expanding the number of locations and geographic range in which MDPV has been identifed

Complete genome sequence of Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 6 isolated in Florida white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (pdf) - Complete genome sequence of Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) serotype 6 (EHDV-6), isolated from a Florida white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in 2016

Genomic sequencing of epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses isolated in Florida white-tailed deer (pdf) - Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) serotypes 1 and 2 were isolated from Florida white-tailed deer in 2015 and 2016, respectively, and their genomes were completely sequenced

Ecological niche modeling the potential geographic distribution of four Culicoides species of veterinary significance in Florida, USA (pdf) - This study used ecological niche modeling to map the potential geographical distributions and associated ecological variable space of four Culicoides species suspected of transmitting EHDV in Florida, including Culicoides insignis, Culicoides stellifer, Culicoides debilipalpis, and Culicoides venustus

5 Year Strategic Plan for CHeRI (pdf) - In order to guide our research and extension priorities for the next 5 years of CHeRI, we have established a Strategic Plan to provide a roadmap to our mission

Trueperella (Arcanobacterium pyogenes) in Farmed White-Tailed Deer (pdf) - Trueperella is a bacterium that can cause lesions in multiple areas of the body including the lungs, mouth, skin, and liver. It is a common cause of abscesses and pneumonia in deer. It also causes lesions on the face, ears, neck, lungs, and lymph nodes. It is one of the types of bacteria that is known to contribute to the disease lumpy jaw. In young fawns, it is a common cause of mortality

Common Disease of Captive Fawns in Florida (pdf) - Fawning season is a stressful time for deer farmers. From birth to weaning, white-tailed deer fawns have a high mortality rate. There are multiple reasons for the high death rate, but most are associated with the animals developing immune system and exposure to a variety of bacteria and viruses

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Hemorrhagic Fever in White-Tailed Deer (pdf) - This factsheet describes best management techniques for outbreaks of HD in farm-raised deer. It includes strategies for best supportive care for sick animals, diagnostics, and integrated pest management to control biting midges that spread the viruses that cause hemorrhagic disease, because the best way to manage disease is to prevent it

Primary Screwworm Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Insecta: Diptera: Calliphoridae) (pdf) - Screwworms are endemic to the Western Hemisphere and pose a serious threat to livestock, wildlife, pets, and humans. In October of 2016, the USDA-APHIS (United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) confirmed the presence of primary screwworm in Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) on Big Pine Key in Florida. Key deer are an endangered species that have been found only on the Florida Keys

Presentations and Posters

The Cervidae Health Research Initiative: Promoting deer health to the farmed deer industry in Florida (pdf) - Dr. Samantha Wisely

Comparative Study of Theileria spp. Phylogenies and Prevalence in Florida On- and Off-Ranch White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (pdf poster) - Hood, K., A. Cauvin, K.A. Sayler

Epidemiology of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus in White-tailed Deer in Florida: Surviving Year Around Exposure (pdf) - Sayler, K.A., E. Blosser, B. McGregor, N. Burkett-Cadena, C.L. Boyce, J. Loeb, J.K. Blackburn, J.A. Lednicky, S.M. Wisely

Collaboration and Communication of the Cervidae Health Research Initiative (pdf poster) - Moore, S.P., K.A. Sayler, S.M. Wisely

Identification of host-derived attractants and repellents for improving Culicoides management on deer farms (pdf) - Weeks, E.N.I., S.A. Gezan, J.A. Vann, S.A. Allan

Patterns of host use of Culicoides spp. in Florida: Implications for pathogen transmission and vector interventions (pdf) - Burkett-Cadena, N.

Viruses Discovered in Florida Farmed Deer (pdf) - Waltzek, T.B., J. Jacob. K.A. Sayler, J. Loeb, J. Lednicky, S.M. Wisely, K. Subramaniam

The Clinical Pathology of CHeRI: What Makes a Healthy Fawn (pdf) - Cauvin, A., N. Stacy, R. Shuman, K. Sayler

Newport Vaccine does not produce homologous antibodies against EHDV (pdf poster)

Comparative study of endoparasite burden of captive vs free-range white-tailed deer in Northwest Florida (pdf poster) - Flanders, S.L., C.L. Boyce, K.A. Sayler, S.M. Wisely, H.D.S. Walden

Prevalence of Parelaphostrongylus andersoni in white-tailed deer, other cervids, and bovids at a private sanctuary in northern Florida (pdf poster) - O'Leary, T.J., C.L. Boyce, K.A. Sayler, S.M. Wisely, J. Slapcinsky, J.F.X. Wellehan, H. Allgood, L. Archer, H.S. Walden

Videos

Deer and Wildlife Stories with Keith Warren discovers CHeRI's EHD research at University of Florida

Flashback from April 2019: on Deer and Wildlife Stories with Keith Warren, we discover a research program on the deadly deer disease EHD being conducted at the University of Florida. This research will help whitetail deer enthusiasts around the country. Warning! The following video contains hunting and shooting that is educational in nature, but may be offensive to some people. Viewer discretion is advised.

Necropsy of a White-Tailed Deer (video)

Learn how to conduct a necropsy on your deer in order a white-tailed deer in order to submit specimens to diagnose EHD and blue-tongued virus.

Deer Biology (video)

Why Science: Deer Biology (video)