The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has detected an early-season outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in deer.
EHD is a viral disease that commonly affects white-tailed deer and is transmitted by biting midges. Humans aren’t at risk of contracting EHD. DNR monitors for EHD annually, but severe outbreaks don’t occur every year.
Cases typically occur during late summer and early fall. EHD is often fatal to deer, but some can recover and develop immunity.
Infected deer may appear lethargic, have excessive salivation, or disorientation. EHD also causes fever which can cause the deer to seek water. Many deer that die from EHD are found in or near open water sources.
The agency has confirmed EHD in Wabash, Allen, Huntington, Wells, Porter, and Perry counties.
Because of the early high level of deer mortality in Wabash County, DNR is lowering the county bonus antlerless quota from two to onefor deer hunting in that county to offset the outbreak.
One sign a deer has recovered from EHD is sloughing or breaking on their hooves. DNR asks that successful hunters use the Deer After Hunt Survey to report the condition of their deer’s hooves.
The agency also asks that anyone who finds a deer that is showing signs of EHD or finds one dead in water report it at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.
