Illinois Hunters and Landowners Encouraged by Illinois Department of Natural Resources to Report Suspected Cases of EHD

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters, landowners and everyone else to report suspected cases of Epizotic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). While EHD is always present each year in Illinois it has become mainstream in the hunting community over the last few years. You'll probably remember cases back in 2012 where over 2,000 cases in 76 out of 102 counties were reported having EHD die offs.

According to the IDNR press release there havr been 47 suspected cases of EHD in white-tail in 2015 and has been most prevalent in western counties.

Suspected EHD outbreak by county

What is EHD?

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is a viral disease of white-tailed deer that can cause localized die-offs when conditions are favorable for transmission. The virus is transmitted between deer by a midge that hatches from muddy areas along lakes/ponds and streams/rivers. Cases are more numerous during hot and dry summer weather conditions, presumably because receding water levels create these muddy areas, providing breeding sites for the midges. (Such as the drought Illinois suffered in 2012) Infected animals develop a high fever and dead deer often are found near water sources. EHD outbreaks typically end when freezing weather kills the insects that spread the virus. While often fatal to deer, EHD is not hazardous to humans or pets.

IDNR is interested in sick or recently dead animals as staff may attempt to collect tissue samples in order to confirm the presence of the EHD virus. Reports may go up while hunters will be heading into the field. We are the eyes and ears for the IDNR, so if you find a deer that may have come down with EHD contact IDNR biologists through this web site http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/professionals.cfm or you can contact the Wildlife Disease and Invasive Species Program (WDIS) at (815) 369-2414 or by email at doug.dufford@illinois.gov. Please provide your name and contact information as well as the county, number of dead/sick deer, sex (if known), age (fawn or adult) and specific location of the deer (distance/direction from the nearest town or intersection of two roads).

This information was provided by a Illinois Department of Natural Resources Press Release.

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors Good Luck and Stay Safe -