The Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed a deadly deer disease in a number of Southwest Michigan counties. The DNR tells us that EHD, known as epizootic hemorrhagic disease, was found in deer in Van Buren, Cass, and Berrien counties.
DNR Wildlife Division acting deer specialist Chad Fedewa explains what this deadly virus is.
“It’s a naturally occurring virus that’s transmitted by a small biting fly called a midge. We’ve had cases in Michigan almost every year for the last 20 years or so. This year happened to be a larger outbreak of the virus. It kind of showed up earlier in the season, kind of late summer, where it usually doesn’t show up until late fall.”
Fedewa tells us the deer affected by this virus usually die within days of being bitten. It cannot be transmitted to humans, nor can it be transmitted deer to deer.
“Once we get a frost, the flies will die off for the year and transmission will stop. So hopefully in the next couple of weeks we’ll have cool enough weather to have a frost to kind of slow and stop that transmission.”
The DNR reminds hunters if they do see a dead caucus to report it via online through the Eyes in the Field survey. If there’s one on your property, it’s your responsibility to dispose of it as you wish. You can leave it to decompose naturally, bury it, or take it to an approved landfill.
