DNRE Announces Confirmed Diagnosis of EHD in Deer in Berrien, Cass and Ottawa Counties

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The Department of Natural Resources and Environment today confirmed a diagnosis of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), an often fatal viral disease found in wild ruminants, in white-tailed deer in Berrien, Cass and Ottawa counties in the last two weeks.

The disease is characterized by extensive hemorrhages and is transmitted by a biting fly (midge). White-tailed deer develop signs of the illness about seven days after exposure. A constant characteristic of the disease is its sudden onset. Deer initially lose their appetite and fear of man, grow progressively weaker, salivate excessively, develop a rapid pulse and respiration rate and finally become unconscious. Due to a high fever, the deer often are found sick or dead along or in bodies of water.

There is no evidence that humans can contract the EHD virus.

There is no known effective treatment for, or control of EHD. Michigan first documented EHD in its white-tailed deer population in 1955. Additional die-offs attributed to EHD occurred in 1974 in several Michigan counties, and again in 2006 in Allegan County. In 2008, a similar die-off affected areas of Oakland and Macomb counties along the Clinton River, and in 2009 in Livingston County. EHD is a common white-tailed deer disease in the southern United States. More frequent outbreaks of EHD in Michigan could be a consequence of climate changes that favor the northward spread of the biting flies that spread the disease, said Russ Mason, chief of the DNR Wildlife Division.

Property owners who discover dead deer they suspect died of EHD should call the nearest DNRE office to report it. The DNRE Wildlife Disease Lab would like to collect more fresh specimens to test for the disease to determine its spread. Property owners are responsible for the proper disposal of unwanted carcasses. Carcasses can be buried at a sufficient depth so that body parts are not showing. Carcasses also can be disposed of at landfills that accept household solid waste.

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