Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) was diagnosed in four cows on a small dairy farm in New York. The cows presented with fever, decreased appetite, drooling, swollen coronary bands and lameness. Erosions and intact vesicles were noted on oral examination. Differentials included foot and mouth disease (which, as a foreign animal disease, had to be ruled out first), malignant catarrhal fever, bluetongue and parapox. This marks the first outbreak of clinical EHD in non-cervids in New York state in several years.

EHD was strongly considered in this herd due to a high mortality outbreak of EHD this summer and fall in both captive and wild white-tailed deer (WTD) in New York that was closely monitored by the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC). For more information on EHD in WTD of New York state, visit the CWHL online.

The AHDC offers an EHD PCR. Appropriate antemortem samples include a swab of vesicular lesion in a sterile container with 0.5 ml saline or viral transport media, or 2 mL of EDTA or citrated whole blood. Appropriate post-mortem samples include spleen, lymph node, lung or a swab of vesicular lesion as described above. An agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test is available to detect antibodies to EHD, but can cross react with bluetongue virus. An EHD serum neutralization test can be performed to determine serotype. Testing for types 1, 2 and 6 is available at the AHDC. This test requires 1 mL of serum in a red top tube. All samples should be shipped in an insulated container, overnight with ice packs.

Cattle typically experience subclinical infections with EHD. There have been outbreaks in cattle in Asia with signs of fever, lethargy and salivation. Yaks and bison can also present with clinical signs. Transmission occurs via Culicoides midges, and most cases therefore are seen in late summer and early fall. Prevention is focused on limiting exposure to Culicoides. There are currently no vaccines commercially available.

For more information, please visit:

• The Center for Food Security and Public Health
• The Cornell Wildlife Health Lab's page on epizootic hemorrhagic disease
• The World Organisation for Animal Health