EHD is caused by a virus that is transmitted by a type of biting fly called a midge. Deer can suffer extensive internal bleeding, leading to death just a few weeks after infection with the virus. Due to a high fever, infected deer often are found sick or dead along or in bodies of water.
Cold weather reduces midge activity and frost kills the adults that bite and transmit the virus, so most outbreaks have slowed if not stopped completely.
EHD does not affect humans, so edibility of the venison is not affected by this disease. There is no evidence that humans can contract the EHD virus either from the midge or from handling and eating venison.
The DNR will take reports of dead deer that are likely EHD-related until Jan. 1. To report the presence of dead deer, the DNR encourages residents to contact their nearest DNR wildlife field office by consulting the list available at www.michigan.gov/wildlife.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10371_10402-289770--,00.html
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