AI Generated Image
Reports of dead deer surge in southeastern Wisconsin amid disease outbreak
WPR • • health
Key Points:
- Wisconsin wildlife officials have received nearly 900 reports of dead deer in southeastern Wisconsin linked to an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), a viral illness spread by biting flies that is often fatal to deer but poses no risk to humans.
- The outbreak is concentrated mainly in Washington County with around 700 reports, followed by Waukesha County with over 150 reports and Ozaukee County with more than 30, marking a significantly higher death toll than previous outbreaks in the state.
- EHD outbreaks typically occur from August to October and are associated with drought conditions that cause deer to gather near waterways where biting midges breed, increasing the likelihood of transmission.
- Infected deer show symptoms such as foaming at the mouth, weakness, and seeking water to cool down, and while up to half of local herds may die during outbreaks, surviving deer develop immunity that reduces the chance of immediate recurrence.
- Despite the severity of the current outbreak, Wisconsin’s deer population remains robust at a record 1.89 million statewide, and officials expect local populations to recover over the coming years.
