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EHD outbreak in deer likely has expanded to six Wisconsin counties
Yahoo • • health
Key Points:
- Wisconsin is experiencing its largest outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), an insect-borne viral disease affecting white-tailed deer, with at least 1,700 dead deer reported across six southeastern counties.
- The outbreak began in August in Washington County and has since spread to Waukesha, Dodge, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, and Jefferson counties, with Washington County reporting the highest number of fatalities.
- EHD causes severe internal bleeding, high fever, and rapid death in deer, often within 3 to 36 hours of symptom onset, and is transmitted by biting midges; it does not infect humans.
- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is prioritizing testing in new areas, monitoring the outbreak, and has no plans to restrict hunting despite the outbreak, which typically subsides after the first hard frost.
- The DNR is seeking public reports of sick or dead deer to better understand the outbreak and is conducting serotype testing to identify the specific strain involved, with results expected in the coming weeks.
