It’s not a good sign when cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) show up in Michigan’s deer population. The Michigan DNR have detected four cases so far.
In 2024, EHD hit southern Michigan counties all the way to Kent County in one of the worst spreads of the disease to hit the state in years. Four cases have already been reported according to the DNR which usually means there will be more to come.
What EHD Does to Whitetail Deer
Epizootic Hemorrhagic disease is a viral disease that is transmitted from midge bites on whitetail deer. EHD starts showing up in deer in late summer and early fall when there is a wet spring and a hot and dry summer.
EHD will stop spreading once the first good frost comes along and kills the midge population, but often the damage is already done.
The EHD virus causes fever, swelling and internal bleeding, which leads to rapid death in many cases. The deer will seek out water to cool their body temperature and are often found dead near those areas. Several deer with EHD were found near Grand Rapids along the Grand River in 2024.
EHD Found In 4 Deer In Southern Michigan, DNR Confirms
Many dead whitetail deer were found in northern Indiana and the southern half of lower Michigan last year, and in some cases in record numbers. Four cases have already been reported, and more are likely, according to the DNR.
Download the WGRD Mobile App Now
Cases so far have been reported in Eaton, Jackson, Van Buren, and Washtenaw counties. The DNR will continue to update cases of EHD here. The DNR would like you to report if you find dead deer that may have died due to EHD here…