Fish and Game suspects Adenovirus Hemorrhagic Disease as culprit in Upper Snake moose mortalities
A moose looks around in Idaho.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game has investigated a recent surge in moose mortalities across the Upper Snake Region. Upon examination of the deceased animals, IDFG suspects Adenovirus Hemorrhagic Disease. So far, 16 moose calves, one adult moose and three mule deer mortalities IDFG has examined have shown symptoms of the disease. One fawn mule deer mortality from late February had laboratory testing confirm AHD, and samples from the other mortalities are currently at the lab for testing.
What is AHD?
AHD is caused by a virus which can infect a variety of deer species, including elk and moose. The disease was first discovered in 1993 in black-tailed deer in California. Although a different disease, AHD is similar to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), which recently affected white-tailed deer populations in Idaho’s Clearwater Region. Unlike EHD, AHD can occur any time of the year and is spread through nose-to-nose contact. All deer species are susceptible to the disease.
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