EHD a threat to deer populations

Since late August, wildlife biologists have been monitoring scattered reports of white-tailed deer found dead in a portion of southwestern North Dakota. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease was confirmed in a number of these cases.

“EHD is a viral disease transmitted by biting gnats,” said Dr. Charlie Bahnson, Game and Fish wildlife veterinarian. “We see a low level of EHD most years. It typically stays fairly localized, but every so often it can intensify into a significant die-off. The combined outbreak in 2020 and 2021 was probably the worst in memory, with extensive mortality across much of western North Dakota. So far, we’re nowhere close to that level, but we have received around 20 reports, primarily focused across northern Stark County. We’re hopeful that cold temperatures over the weekend will help slow things down, but it typically takes a series of hard frosts to kill the gnats and completely end an outbreak.”

Game and Fish is asking for assistance to better track the extent and severity of this year’s outbreak. The public is encouraged to report any sick or dead deer through an online reporting system.

“In some cases, we may need to collect samples off fresh carcasses, so please notify the department as soon as possible,” Bahnson said.

Hunters should report any dead deer along with photos, if possible, to the Game and Fish Department through the online wildlife mortality reporting system at gf.nd.gov/mortality-report.