SPOKANE, WA – Eastern Washington wildlife officials are warning hunters and landowners about an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and Bluetongue that is affecting deer populations in several counties.
According to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), Stevens and Spokane counties appear to be hit hardest so far, though reports are coming in from other parts of the agency’s Eastern Region 1. Both diseases are spread by tiny biting midges, commonly known as Culicoides gnats, which thrive during hot, dry weather when deer gather around limited water sources.
EHD primarily impacts white-tailed deer, while Bluetongue can also affect mule deer, cattle, and domestic sheep. The two viral diseases are unrelated to chronic wasting disease…