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Dozens of deer in Wisconsin dead from EHD
FOX6 News Milwaukee • • health
Key Points:
- An outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) has caused the deaths of an estimated 80 to 100 deer in Washington County, Wisconsin, since late July, with the outbreak confirmed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
- This outbreak is larger and occurring earlier than usual, as typical outbreaks result in 30 to 50 deer deaths and end with the first frost; it may continue until that time.
- EHD is a virus fatal to white-tailed deer, transmitted by biting midges, causing symptoms like excessive salivation, swelling, and unusual behavior, but it poses no risk to humans or common pets.
- Wisconsin deer populations usually recover quickly after EHD outbreaks despite high mortality, and the disease has been sporadically present in the state since its first confirmation in 2002.
- The Wisconsin DNR encourages the public to report sightings of sick or dead deer with specific details but does not remove carcasses or require reports of roadkill.
