Since early September, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Health Section has confirmed epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, in the wild deer population across 11 counties in southwest Michigan. The affected counties include Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, Kent, Ottawa, St. Joseph and Van Buren.
EHD, a common viral disease that primarily affects white-tailed deer, is transmitted through the bite of an infected midge, or biting fly. Deer cannot transmit the disease directly to one another; the virus must pass through the insect. Outbreaks of EHD typically occur in late summer and early fall but cease with the first frost, which kills the midge population.
Infected deer exhibit symptoms such as loss of appetite, reduced fear of humans, weakness, excessive salivation, rapid pulse, increased respiration and fever. They may also seek out water to cool their elevated body temperatures. In severe cases, the disease leads to unconsciousness and death.
“EHD is not expected to have widespread deer population-level impacts, but it can significantly affect localized areas if mortality is severe,” said Chad Fedewa, acting deer specialist for the DNR Wildlife Division. “After an outbreak, local deer populations usually rebound after a few years. That has been the case over the last decade or so each time we have seen this virus show up.”
Report observations online
If you suspect you have found a deer that has contracted or died from EHD, please submit the observation through the DNR’s online reporting system, Eyes in the Field. In most cases, deer will be found in or near water. Read more
