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Disease caused by insect bites has killed deer in 5 Wisconsin counties
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel • • health
Key Points:
- The 2026 outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Wisconsin has resulted in at least 1,100 dead white-tailed deer, marking the largest outbreak in the state's history according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
- The outbreak began in July in Washington County and has spread to Dodge, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Waukesha counties, with reported deaths likely underestimating the true toll.
- EHD is a viral disease transmitted by biting midges that causes severe internal bleeding, high fever, and organ damage in deer, often leading to death within hours of symptom onset.
- While EHD outbreaks have occurred periodically in Wisconsin since 2002, the 2026 event is unprecedented in scale; however, the DNR currently does not plan to change deer hunting regulations despite the outbreak.
- The disease is expected to subside after the first hard frost reduces insect populations, and there is no risk of EHD spreading to humans.
