Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is back with a vengeance. Unfortunately, that is not good news for white-tailed deer herds throughout areas of infection this summer. Once the disease hits, it can take out entire age classes of bucks.

EHD is striking Indiana hard. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is investigating reports of sick or dead deer in central, southeast and south-central Indiana. Officials say Clark County in southeast Indiana is experiencing the worst of it, with reports coming from 10 counties total. According to the DNR, more testing is needed to determine the strain of EHD virus. 

EHD is a viral disease that mainly affects white-tailed deer each year. It usually strikes during late summer and early fall; the DNR says outbreaks may be worse during droughts. The virus is transmitted almost always near water by biting midges, also called gnats or “no-see-ums.” The virus does not affect humans.

Seven days after infection, clinical signs or symptoms seen in deer include not eating, weakness, loss of fear of humans, circling and other neurological signs. Signs of EHD in dead deer include swollen tongue, eyelids, neck or head. The disease is typically fatal, but some deer will survive and develop immunity.

“If you see a deer that you suspect may have died from EHD, you can report it directly to the DNR through our website at deer.dnr.IN.gov,” said Dr. Joe Caudell, DNR deer research biologist. “Just click on the link for Report a Dead or Sick Deer.”

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