EHD confirmed in deer

A case of epizootic hemorrhagic disease has been confirmed in a deer in St. Joseph County.

Chad Fedewa, wildlife biologist with Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said the case was confirmed in late July.

Since then, Fedewa said the agency has received a number of calls from people reporting dead deer as well.

EHD is a virus transmitted through the bite of a midge fly. Fedewa said it causes high fevers and hemorrhaging of organs, leading many infected deer to bodies of water to try to cool down.

He said most reported possible cases have been along the border between St. Joseph and Cass counties, with an outbreak also reported in Indiana.

EHD can only be transmitted through fly bites and is not contagious between deer, or to humans or livestock.