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Deadly EHD Virus Spreads Among Michigan Deer
9 Sep
Summary
- EHD virus detected in four southern Michigan counties by DNR.
- Disease is transmitted by biting insects, not deer-to-deer contact.
- Venison from affected areas is safe for consumption, say officials.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHD) has been detected in free-ranging white-tailed deer in four southern Michigan counties, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The counties of Branch, Ingham, Jackson, and Lenawee have confirmed detections of the virus. This viral disease, which can be fatal, is periodically present in Michigan's deer population.
Transmission of EHD occurs solely through the bite of an infected midge or other biting fly, with no evidence of deer-to-deer contagion. Health officials emphasize that the virus poses no threat to humans, pets, or other wildlife, and venison harvested from affected regions is safe to consume, as long as the animal was not visibly ill.
The DNR notes that the current landscape-level impact of EHD is comparable to previous years. However, changing weather patterns, including warmer and wetter conditions, are increasingly favorable for the virus and the midges that carry it. The emergence of a different viral strain also complicates the development of herd immunity among deer.
Visible symptoms of EHD in deer can include lethargy, disorientation, lameness, bloody nasal discharge, and swelling of the head and neck. The DNR encourages the public to report any findings of dead or symptomatic deer through its online system. Disease transmission typically ceases with the first frost, which eliminates the midge population.
