Editor
Small groups of dead deer have been discovered in Illinois southeastern Wisconsin in recent weeks and the culprit seems to be small biting flies called midges.
Kenosha County Wildlife Biologist Marty Johnson said Monday that so far dead deer have not been discovered in the county.
Dead/dying and sick deer have been discovered in Walworth, Rock, Waukesha and Columbia counties recently in Wisconsin. In Illinois, 51 counties have reported deer deaths links to EHD including four in McHenry County and up to 12 in Kane County.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reporting more than 75 confirms EHD deaths have occurred in Cook County.
The midges bite causes an acute, infectious disease called Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease or EHD. It causes extensive hemorrhaging in the deer. It can take up to seven days for the deer to perish from the bite. Outward signs include swelling of the head or neck and ulcers around the mouth. An infect deer may seek water to drink or sit in.
Johnson said the disease is not transmitted deer to deer and the disease is not a threat to humans.
Fortunately, the midges die off with the first frost, cutting off the outbreak.
“Just because you find a dead deer, it isn’t necessarily due to EHD. Hunters are in the fields now, so it could be one that was hit and got away, it could have been hit by a car, there is no way to know,” Johnson said.
The DNR is very interesting in tracking the disease and urged anyone who comes across a dead deer or deer that appear to be sick, to contact them with a location and date.
“Residents can call the call center at (888) 963-7463 evenings and weekends as well as during the day. Johnson’s number for Kenosha County residents is (262) 884-2391.
“I am in the field a lot but I have voice mail and they should leave a message because I will get back to them, he said.
He said there hasn’t been a report of EHD in Wisconsin since 2002 when a small outbreak occurred in Columbia county.
“There is no rhythm nor reason with this disease. It can show up anywhere but right now it seems to be occurring in southeastern Wisconsin.”
The disease has been confirmed in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. In the last two weeks, the DNR has received reports of clusters of dead or dying deer in Columbia, Rock, Waukesha and Walworth counties.
Deer that are sick will present with excessive salivating or foaming around the nose and mouth. The deer can appear weak and is approachable by humans. Sick deer will lay in water to cool down or drink.
Anyone reporting dead deer should include their name and contact phone number, as well as the county, number of dead deer, and specific location of the deer (distance/direction from the nearest town).
Discoveries of EHD-related deer mortality should also be reported to Tom Micetich at (309) 543-3316, ext. 231; or email: [email protected].
In Wisconsin, call the DNR call center toll free at (888) 963-7463) or, e-mail [email protected].