Some local hunters say they’ve encountered an unusual number of dead deer in the woods this season — prompting questions about disease and deer health across the region.
Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife say the most likely explanation is an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) that hit earlier this fall.
Lisa Jackson, public information officer for the department, said the agency’s wildlife veterinarian is currently in the field, but confirmed that “depending on the state of decay, hunters could still be seeing carcasses on the landscape from EHD mortalities earlier this fall.”
She added that active cases have “dramatically dropped off,” and that the department has not recorded any Blue Tongue virus detections this season. While often confused with EHD, Blue Tongue is caused by a different but related virus, Jackson said.
EHD is a seasonal disease transmitted by biting midges and often affects whitetail deer in late summer and early fall. Symptoms include swelling of the head, neck, tongue, and eyelids, difficulty breathing, and lethargy. Many infected deer seek out water and are often found dead near creeks or ponds.
Outbreaks of EHD typically subside with the first hard frost, which kills off the insects responsible for spreading the virus. Though parts of the region saw a light flurry recently, officials say warmer-than-usual weather has kept midges active in isolated areas longer than expected.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife has published an online resource center with frequently asked questions, updated maps of confirmed cases, and detailed information on symptoms and prevention. Jackson encouraged hunters, landowners, and livestock farmers to visit the page for the most up-to-date information: fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Pages/Epizootic-Hemorrhagic-Disease-EHD-and-Blue-Tongue.aspx.
While EHD is not transmissible to humans or livestock, officials said it’s still important to report dead or sick deer to help monitor the spread. Anyone who spots signs of disease is asked to contact the department or file an observation report through the website.
