Virus outbreak spurs 'horrendous' deer die-off in Michigan

Key Points:

• Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), a viral disease spread by biting midges, is causing significant deer die-offs in southern Michigan, confirmed in Branch, Ingham, Jackson, and Lenawee counties this year.
• Infected deer often seek water due to high fever and dehydration, and many have been found dead near lakes and rivers; symptoms include lethargy, disorientation, bloody discharge, and swelling.
• The disease affects only deer and is not transmissible to humans, pets, or other wildlife, and venison from affected areas remains safe to eat unless the deer appears sick.
• EHD outbreaks typically occur in late summer and early fall, with severity influenced by weather conditions; while localized die-offs can be intense, long-term impacts on deer populations in Michigan are generally limited.
• The Michigan Department of Natural Resources urges the public to report suspected EHD cases and notes that warmer, wetter conditions may be increasing the frequency of outbreaks, though deer may develop resistance over time.