(WWJ) A sometimes-fatal viral disease has killed off six deer in southern Michigan--most of them in metro Detroit, according to the DNR.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Disease Laboratory Tuesday have confirmed six free-ranging, white-tailed deer from four counties have died from epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). EHD is found in wild ruminants such as white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk.
Half of the EHD cases were identified in Oakland County, one was found in Macomb County and one in Shiawassee County. Over the past two weeks, the DNR has received reports of 150 likely cases of the disease among deer.
There is no evidence that humans, or domestic cats or dogs, can contract the virus.
The disease is transmitted by a type of biting fly called a midge. Infection does not always result in the disease. An infected animal can range from asymptomatic to bleeding internally and accumulating fluid.
Illness can come on quickly or can linger for weeks to months in a mild state. In severe cases, the deer lose their appetite and their fear of humans, grow weaker, salivate excessively, and become unconscious. Infected deer frequently seek out water to lower a fever and quell dehydration. Therefore, they are often found sick or dead in bodies of water.
"We are asking for hunters to look around as they hit the field this fall to let us know if they find dead deer, especially any near water," Tom Cooley, DNR wildlife pathologist, said in a press release.
Deer deaths from EHD have occurred off and on for the past fifteen years. The largest die-off occurred in 2012, with an estimated loss of more than 14,000 deer. Few cases have been reported since 2015.
There is no known way to prevent or treat EHD.
Anyone who discovers dead deer should report it through the DNR's Eyes in the Field reporting form or call the closest DNR Customer Service Center.
