Viral, often fatal deer disease confirmed in southwest Michigan, more cases expected throughout the state

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY (WWJ) — A common viral deer disease has returned to Michigan— with a case confirmed in the southwestern part of the state.

In a press release, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said they have also received reports of over 120 probable cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), primarily from counties in the southwestern Lower Peninsula.

The DNR Wildlife Health Section and Michigan State University Diagnostic Laboratory recently confirmed the EHD virus in a free-ranging white-tailed deer from St. Joseph County. Several other counties are awaiting their lab results.

“EHD is a viral, sometimes fatal disease” found in wild animals such as the white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk; according to the DNR.

“Although early reports indicate 2024 could see a significant outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in pockets of Michigan’s deer population, this isn’t necessarily unusual,” Chad Stewart, acting supervisor of the DNR Wildlife Division's Sustainable Populations Section, said in the release.

According to Stewart, EHD has occurred in Michigan “off and on” since 2006—the largest die-off happening in 2012 with an estimated loss of 14,000 deer in more than 30 counties.

There is no known treatment for the illness.

It’s spread by a biting fly called a midge. The DNR said Michigan's 2024 weather conditions may be to blame. Previous studies show a warm spring, rainy July, and hot, dry August leads to muddy areas where the midge likes to lay its egg and reproduce.

Outbreaks of EHD are shown in several ways, including:

-Sick and dead deer found in or around bodies of water
-Illness in deer that comes on “suddenly and severely, but can also linger for weeks or months in a low-grade state”
-Deer may lose their appetite and fear of humans, grow weaker, salivate “excessively” and become unconscious
-Because of a high fever and dehydration, infected deer will seek water to low their body temperature and to rehydrate

While mortality rates can be high in local areas; not all deer will contract EHD, and some will survive it, according to Chad.

EHD cannot be transmitted from deer to deer.

“There is no evidence that humans or household pets can contract the EHD virus,” the DNR said.

The DNR said venison is still safe to consume even if hunters obtained it in area affected by EHD. However, they said you should not eat venison from animals that are visibly sick. No evidence suggests that humans can contract the virus from consuming venison.

Deer carcasses can be disposed through natural decomposition, which does not spread EHD or contribute to outbreaks. Carcasses should be buried deep enough so no body parts show, or disposed of at landfills that accept solid waste.

The DNR expects more EHD cases to be confirmed in additional counties in the next few weeks.

“If you suspect a deer death is due to epizootic hemorrhagic disease, please report it to the DNR so that we can track cases and better estimate the total number of deer affected in an area,” Stewart said. “Hunters’ observations can be especially helpful as they hit the field and look around this fall.”

If you see a sick or dead deer by the water, you’re asked to report it using the DNR’s Eyes in the Field webpage.