The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the state’s first cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in 2025.

The virus has been detected in free-ranging white-tailed deer in Eaton, Jackson, Van Buren, and Washtenaw counties. EHD is spread by biting flies or midges and can be fatal to deer, especially in late summer and early fall. Officials stress that the disease does not affect people, pets, or other wildlife, and venison remains safe to eat in affected areas.

DNR specialist Brent Rudolph says outbreaks are usually limited to just a few counties, but larger outbreaks have happened in the past, including one in 2012 that spread to 30 counties.

Deer with EHD may appear weak, disoriented, or lame, and can show signs such as swelling, a bluish tongue, or bloody discharge from the nose and mouth.

The DNR encourages residents to report suspected cases online. While EHD typically does not harm Michigan’s overall deer population, it can cause intense local die-offs that may last for several years.