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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Wisconsin (WDJT) — Two wild deer in Washington County have tested positive for the virus that causes epizootic hemorrhagic disease, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR announced Tuesday that the deer were found near the village of Richfield and the city of West Bend.
Samples were collected for testing after landowners and other members of the public reported a cluster of dead deer in the area. Many of the reports involved deer that appeared healthy before being found dead in or near water.
“Although it may be concerning to see many deer dead in a localized area, these outbreaks rarely have significant long-term population impacts on the overall deer herd,” DNR deer herd health specialist Erin Larson said. “The short duration of these outbreaks and the robustness of our deer populations allow areas experiencing an EHD outbreak to recover quickly.”
EHD is spread by midges, which are small flies also known as biting gnats or no-see-ums.
According to the DNR, the virus does not infect humans, including through handling infected deer, eating venison from an infected deer or being bitten by an infected midge.
Signs of EHD in deer can include excessive salivation, foaming around the nose and mouth, weakness or unusual approachability around humans.
The DNR said infected deer may also be found in or near water because the disease can cause fever, prompting the animals to enter water to cool down or drink.
Anyone who sees a deer showing signs of EHD or finds a dead deer in or near water is encouraged to report the sighting to the DNR.
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