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.
A news release says EHD, a common viral disease that primarily affects white-tailed deer, is transmitted through the bite of an infected midge, or biting fly.
Outbreaks of EHD typically occur in late summer and early fall but cease with the first frost, which kills the midge population.
Chad Fedewa, acting deer specialist for the DNR Wildlife Division, says quote, “EHD is not expected to have widespread deer population-level impacts, but it can significantly affect localized areas if mortality is severe. He adds, “After an outbreak, local deer populations usually rebound after a few years.” ’ End quote.
If you suspect you have found a deer that has contracted or died from EHD the DNR asks you to submit to their reporting system.
