PIERRE, S.D. – Autumn sends hunters into the fields after their favorite game, but they may find the result of a common disease, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD).

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease most often impacts white-tailed deer, and it can become prevalent at the driest time of the year – usually mid-August through September. Outbreaks of EHD occur most often in central and western South Dakota. The disease is specific to ungulates and is transmitted by biting midges. The disease is not contagious from one animal to another, and is not transferable to humans.

"We suspect that an EHD die-off has occurred in a small area of Bennett County, and we recently learned of some suspect cases in Hughes County," said Game, Fish and Parks Assistant Wildlife Division Director George Vandel. "We have not yet confirmed EHD, but conditions are favorable, and the situations of finding dead white-tailed deer near water is a good indication that we may be dealing with some localized cases of EHD."

Epizootic refers to an animal disease, and hemorrhagic means to bleed or hemorrhage. EHD can be fatal to the deer, especially white-tailed deer.

The first killing frost usually cuts short the spread of the disease. Since many deer hunting seasons do not open until after the first frost, hunters do not often see afflicted animals. However, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks recommends that hunters avoid shooting deer that show any EHD symptoms. Deer in the early stages of EHD may appear lethargic, disoriented, lame, or unresponsive to humans. As the disease progresses the deer may have bloody discharge from the nose, lesions or sores on the mouth, and swollen, blue tongues. They become emaciated because they stop eating. Sometimes they die near or in water.

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