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A deer in Morristown National Historical Park in Morris Township in a 2008 file photo.

(Steve Klaver/Star-Ledger)

TRENTON — The first ever Garden State cases of a "disease of concern" in certain livestock have been found in dead deer in Somerset and Morris Counties, according to a statement by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife.

The bluetongue virus has been confirmed in one deer that died on Sept. 4 in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township in Somerset County, and in another that died on Sept. 19 in the Stirling section of Long Hill Township in Morris County, the statement said.

Although these are the first cases of bluetongue virus found in New Jersey, the clinical signs of bluetongue are identical to epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, which has occurred in the state several times since 1995. Those signs can only be differentiated by testing and virus isolation.

"The bluetongue virus is widely distributed in the United States, but has not been previously found in deer in New Jersey," said Division Director Dave Chanda. "Both diseases are spread to animals by the bite of a (species of midge fly known as Culicoides sp.) Neither disease can be transmitted to people. While EHD is only found in deer populations, the bites of the midge can transmit bluetongue to certain types of livestock."

Humans are not at risk for handling infected deer, being bitten by infected midges, or eating infected deer meet, although the division strongly advises against eating any game meat from an animal that appears ill.

Outbreaks typically begin in late summer, and the potential for disease transmission ends when frost kills the midges.

Bluetongue, unlike EHD, is a concern in ruminant livestock such as sheep, llama, alpaca, goats and cows. The disease is similar in all ruminants, with differing mortality rates depending on the strain of the virus and the livestock species affected, with effects most severe in improved sheep breeds such as fine wool and mutton breeds.

Bluetongue does not affect horses.

No cases of livestock illnesses have yet been reported, the statement said.

Clinical signs in livestock include, but are not limited to, fever, listlessness, edema and congestion of mouth, nose, eyes, and coronary bands, mouth sores, lameness and a characteristic swelling of the tongue. Affected animals may act as carriers for an extended period after recovery.

Livestock which appear to exhibit any blue tongue symptoms should be reported to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.

That department's Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory can assist in diagnosing suspected bluetongue cases by offering testing and necropsy services. The lab can be contacted by calling 609-406-6999 or emailing jerseyvetlab@ag.state.nj.us.

More information about the lab and the tests offered can be found on the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory website.

Symptoms in deer may include difficulty standing, drooling, and emitting foam from the mouth or nose. Because the disease causes fever, sick or dead deer are often seen in or near water.

Deer that appear to exhibit any bluetongue or EHD symptoms should be reported to the Division of Fish and Wildlife Bureau of Wildlife Services at 908-735-7040 or the Division's Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics at 908-236-2118.

Walter O'Brien may be reached at wobrien@nj.com. Follow him on Twitter @wobriensomerset. Find NJ.com on Facebook.