Deer in three counties found to have EHD

MADISON – State wildlife officials have confirmed that samples submitted from deer found dead in Dane, Sauk and Waukesha counties have tested positive for Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, or EHD.

EHD is often fatal, typically killing an infected deer within seven days. The last EHD observation in Wisconsin was in 2002 in Iowa County where 14 deer died from the virus.

EHD is common across southern states and occasionally shows up as far north as the upper Midwest. This year, outbreaks of EHD have been reported in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. The disease is typically short lived as the flies that transmit the disease die with the first hard frost.

Individuals that observe deer exhibiting the following signs are encouraged to report their observations to the DNR:

    IMPORTANT: Wildlife officials say there is no risk to people or pets from deer that have died of EHD and that the venison is safe to eat. 

    To report a sick deer observation please call the DNR call center toll free at 1-888-WDNR- INFo (1-888-936-7463), email DNRInfo@Wisconsin.gov, or use the chat feature on the DNR website at dnr.wi.gov/contact.