Indiana DNR: 'Significant Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Event'

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has shared that a "significant epizootic hemorrhagic disease event" is affecting deer in some Indiana counties.

What Is Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease

According to Indiana DNR, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, also known as EHD, is a virus that can affect the deer population. Most frequently, EHD impacts white-tail deer populations.

How is Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Spread

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is spread through the bite of what are commonly called "no-see-ums," or biting midges. EHD can also be transmitted through the bite of gnats that live and breed in small pools of standing water.

Get our free mobile app

Behaviors of a Deer Infected with Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease

Deer that have been infected with EHD can exhibit a number signs and symptoms, including:

not eating
weakness
dehydration
excessive salivation
swelling around the neck and head
loss of fear of humans
circling
and other neurological signs

While the disease is often fatal resulting in the death of nearly 90% of the infected deer population. However, Indiana DNR says that some deer will survive the infection, and even develop immunity to EHD.

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Has Been Present Since the 1890s

EHD is a naturally occurring disease in the state of Indiana, and the Department of Natural Resources says it has existed since as early as the 1890s. the disease is almost always present across the state, but they say major outbreaks occur approximately every 5 years, with the last major outbreak happening in 2019.

Canva

No Known Cure for Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease

At this time there is no known cure or prevention for wild deer populations in Indiana. State officials monitor and track EHD outbreaks through reports made by individuals who suspect sick or dead deer. Reports can be made through the Sick Animal Reporting Form found on the DNR website.

Significant Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Impacting These Indiana Counties

Indian DNR shared in a recent press release that a "significant epizootic hemorrhagic disease event" is currently impacting deer populations in Allen, Porter, and Wabash Counties. This has resulted in a reduction in County Bonus Antlerless Quotas.

As of Sept. 11, 2024, a significant EHD event is affecting Allen, Porter, and Wabash Counties. While this outbreak is severe, DNR expects it to be less impactful than the 2022 outbreak in Franklin, Fayette, and surrounding counties in southern Indiana. Therefore, DNR has lowered the CBAQs in Allen, Porter, and Wabash counties from a 2 to a 1. This reduction does not affect the deer reduction zones in Allen and Porter counties.

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease and Humans

Fortunately, EHD does not affect humans. Indiana DNR says that there is no "established public health risk associated with handling or eating animals infected with EHD or with exposure to EHD-infected midges."

[SOURCE: Indiana DNR]

Animals You Might Encounter in The Wild in Indiana

There is no shortage of stunning wildlife in Indiana. Here are six species native to the state that you might encounter the next time you head outside.

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals

SEE: 15 Animals You Cannot Own in Evansville

I got the idea for this after seeing an article by Michelle Heart with our Townsquare Media sister-station, 107.9 Lite-FM in Boise, Idaho. She had discovered several animals residents in that city can't own based on city codes she found online which got me thinking about whether Evansville had any regulations that were similar. Obviously, they did or this article wouldn't exist. Chapter 14, Article 3, section 42 and 43 spell out a lengthy list of exotic animals you can get in trouble owning if local officials find out. You can see the entire list on the city's website. These are the 15 I found to be the most interesting.

Gallery Credit: Ryan O'Bryan

Source: DNR: ‘Significant Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Event’ Affecting Some Indiana Counties