Deadly Virus Detected for 1st Time in NY Deer! Are You In Danger?

The Department of Environmental Conservation have discovered New York State's very first case of a virus that has proven to be deadly to the deer population. There is no available treatment and no way to prevent this virus from infecting White-tailed deer. What about our pets? What about you and me?

Here's what we know about the Buetongue virus.

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The DEC is reporting that three deer have tested positive for Bluetongue in Suffolk County. This is the first time the bluetongue virus was detected in New York deer. According to the National Deer Association, this disease is deadly for White-tailed deer and is transmitted by small insects biting deer.

When deer search for and drink water from shallow, murky and stagnant bodies of water they are likely to be bitten by these pests. Once infected the deer often develop a fever, have trouble breathing and their head and tongue start to swell. Many infected deer die within 2 days. These infected deer are often found in bodies of water.

Photo by Julie Marsh on Unsplash

If other animals come in contact with the dead deer they are unlikely to become infected. Bluetongue can infect cattle and sheep. Sheep can suffer greatly from Bluetongue while cattle don't typically exhibit signs of the disease. The NYS DEC reports that outbreaks are most common this time of year, late Summer and early Fall. This virus is not transmittable to humans or our pets.

If you feel you have discovered an infected or deceased deer, please report to you nearest DEC office. Find yours HERE.

Take a Look at the First NY Thruway Rest Area Completed

There has been a lot of construction being done on the New York State Thruway Rest Areas and finally, we are starting to see some of the rest stops being completed. Although the first rest area is open, this is one of the smaller versions of what the other ones will look like. The Indian Castle rest area just 90 minutes west of Albany is beautiful with a Popeye's and Starbucks inside. It boasts a Starbucks drive-thru and a convenience store featuring a variety of New York state products.

The 10 Worst Small Towns In New York [RANKED]

A Capital Region town has topped Roadsnacks 2022 rankings of the worst small towns in the Empire State. Just like any list created by folks not living in New York, these rankings in no way reflect how we feel about these towns and you should take these rankings with a grain of salt. That said, these rankings were formulated based on census data like median income, home values, unemployment rates, crime rates, education, and population density. and more from the state's 466 smallest towns

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Source: This Deadly Virus Detected for First Time in NY State Deer! Are You In Danger?

Filed Under: bluetongue virus, first case of bluetongue virus detected in New York State

Categories: Around Albany