Deadly Deer Disease Detected in Wisconsin: DNR Alerts Public to EHD Outbreak

MADISON, Wis. (Civic Media) — The name might not be familiar, or easy to pronounce, but Wisconsin wildlife officials are putting out a warning about it. The state Department of Natural Resources has confirmed cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in deer from three counties.

Tissue samples from one deer in Chippewa County, two in Jackson County, and one in Waukesha County tested positive for the virus. The DNR is investigating similar reports in other counties.

EHD is spread by biting insects and is not transmissible to humans. Infected deer often show excessive salivation, foaming around the mouth, and weakness. A statement says they may be found dead near water sources.

The disease is common in southern and western U.S. states but appears sporadically in the Midwest. Outbreaks typically end with the first hard frost, which kills the transmitting insects.

Wisconsin’s first EHD outbreak occurred in 2012, affecting about 380 deer in Dane and Columbia counties. The most recent outbreak in 2021 impacted fewer than 20 deer each in La Crosse and Juneau counties.

The DNR urges the public to report sick or dead deer to aid in monitoring the disease’s spread. Reports can be made via email or phone, with people told to include details about the deer’s condition and location.