By Heather Turner

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- A virus found in deer in a Corvallis neighborhood may be the cause of death of as many as 20 black-tailed deer within the past month. Residents in the area say they're worried that the animals they've grown so accustomed to seeing, are all going to die off.

Rick Ebel says he enjoys watching the deer on his daily walks.

"Most of the people I think around here are animal lovers, and they hate to see it happening," explains Ebel.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife along with veterinarians from OSU confirmed the Adenovirus Hemorrhagic Disease (AHD) killed two deer recovered in the Timberhill area of Corvallis.

"It's a viral disease that damages blood vessels and causes them to bleed in many different tissues," says Rob Bildfell, Veterinary Pathologist at OSU.

ODFW found other carcasses in the area with signs the dead deer also died from ADH.

"An adult doe that we had had signs of both, affecting the lung and affecting the intestine," Bildfell added.

Bildfell says symptoms of the virus can vary.

"You would see an animal that's perhaps weak, some of them will actually have some froth around the face, and and quite a few of them will have diarrhea as well, sometimes a bloody diarrhea," explains Bildfell.

The disease is spread by direct deer-to-deer contact and cannot be transferred to humans, pets, or livestock. Deer exposed to the virus often die within 3 to 5 days.

So far, there is no known cure for the disease.

"Generally, by the time you observe clinical signs, these animals are really badly affected and they don't have much longer to live," says Bildfell.

Residents in the Timberhill area say they see deer here every day, and many are sad to see them go.

"It would be nice if they were able to develop some sort of a treatment," thinks Ebel.

Others say, although they hate to see the deer suffer, there are just too many deer in Timberhill.

"I think it's nature's way of taking care of a population that's basically had free rein. Too many deer in the area," added John Ginn, a Timberhill resident.

Wildlife officials say, if you do happen to come into contact with any deer, they recommend that you don't feed them or give them any water since that makes them more likely to congregate in small areas.