The Pennsylvania Game Commission has confirmed two cases of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in deer so far this summer in Pennsylvania, but there may be more.
The often-fatal disease is caused by biting flies called midges, which breed and congregate in muddy habitats. These outbreaks happen in late summer and early fall when deer gather near water and midge activity is at its peak.
The Game Commission reports the outbreaks usually stop after the first hard frost kills the midges.
Travis Lau, communications director for the PGC, said on Aug. 26 that one deer found on July 23 in Mill Creek Township, Erie County, and a deer from the West Middlesex Township area, Mercer County on Aug. 12, both had EHD.
The agency's staff has received other reports of dead deer, but the causes of death could not be confirmed.
The other cases investigated by the PGC include:
"The Game Commission monitors for EHD outbreaks and asks the public to report any deer mortalities lacking visible signs of injuries," Lau said. Reports should be submitted to the Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453).
Lau explained deer with EHD often show clinical signs of illness including swelling, demonstrated distress and excessive salivation. They often die within 36 hours after these signs appear.
Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at [email protected] and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on this website's homepage under your login name. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoors.