WI DNR receives 700+ reports of dead deer in Washington, Waukesha counties, cites largest outbreak of disease spread by small flies
WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin is facing its largest outbreak of a disease that kills deer, as officials with the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed they've received more than 700 reports and counting.
It's called epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EDH, and symptoms include a fever, excessive salivation, and the urge to seek water.
Midges, or small flies, are the cause of the spread -- but the disease does not jump from deer to deer, nor to humans, even if a person handles an infected deer or eats affected venison.
So far, officials said the disease has been confirmed in southern Washington and northern Waukesha counties.
"And then from Ozaukee and Milwaukee areas which are also pretty close within 20 miles, we've received a handful of reports from those areas as well," said Erin Larson, a deer herd health specialist with the DNR. "Unfortunately, those numbers are likely to continue to rise."
However, unfortunately there isn't anything anyone can do to stop the spread besides waiting for a frost which could then kill the midges.
But with temps still hot and humid, it doesn't seem like that would happen anytime soon.
"In Wisconsin, a lot of deer don't have antibodies for this virus, so it does cause often that the more larger scale mortalities," Larson said. "It's alarming to see these higher numbers of dead deer and there certainly can be those localized impacts for the short-term, long-term the deer populations are able to rebound."
The DNR said EHD does not survive in carcasses, and they do not remove the dead animals.
If you want to report a sick or dead deer, fill out the online Sick or Dead Wildlife Reporting Form, email [email protected] or call 608-267-0866 and leave a message.