In deer, the disease can result in high morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of bluetongue in deer is based on serological tests and virus isolation.
Bluetongue has a similar presentation to a number of diseases.
Vaccination of farmed deer is not recommended at this time. Vaccine efficacy and safety has not been evaluated in deer. Haigh, J.C. and Hudson, R.J. 1993. Reovirus Infections - Bluetongue. Mosby Year Book Inc., Toronto.