3-26-15 - The Texas Tech University Research Program is looking for members that are interested in the following survey and testing. Please contact Dr. Steve Presley if you are interested at your earliest convenience.

SEROLOGICAL SURVEY FOR EPIZOOTIC HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE VIRUS (EHDV) IN FARMED WHITE-TAILED DEER HERDS

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) causes highly infectious and lethal hemorrhagic fevers in white-tailed deer, other cervid species, and some bovid species. To develop strategies and approaches to control and/or prevent EHDV infection in farmed white-tailed deer herds, it is essential to better understand the transmission and prevalence of the virus in deer. The first step, and our primary research objective, is to conduct a serological survey to determine the prevalence of EHDV antibodies in farmed white-tailed deer herds. Producer cooperation and participation will be critical to the success of this survey. Serum samples will be collected by producers (we will provide serum-separator tubes, handling and shipping guidance) and submitted to the Vector-Borne Zoonoses Laboratory (VZL) at Texas Tech University for assay. Researchers at VZL will receive, process and screen the submitted serum samples for antibodies against EHDV serotypes 1, 2 and 6. Confidential written results specific to individual animals will be provided to the producer that submitted the samples, as well as an update on regional EHDV transmission status.

This project will be partially funded by participating producers. The costs to the producer for each sample screened for each EHDV serotype (including EHDV-1, EHDV-2, EHDV-6) will be $16.00. A discounted rate for Deer Breeders Corporation (DBC) members will be $14.00 per sample submitted. (Note: These prices per sample are for each serotype screened for, therefore if you want to screen for both EHDV-1 & 2 the costs would be $32.00/$28.00 per sample.)

Producers can participate in this research project by contacting Dr. Steve Presley by email at [email protected] , or by telephone (806-885-0236).