Uptick in deadly hemorrhagic disease seen among Illinois deer

Ken Jahnke texted Friday that they "are finding dead deer all over the place" on the farm they hunt in Clark County.

It's September, reports come of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease.

"This year, it seems, at least anecdotally, more than last year," said Chris Jacques, wildlife disease, large carnivore, and invasive species, program manager, for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Last year EHD reports came from 18 counties. So far Jacques sees an uptick, but nothing to be concerned about yet.

The impact of EHD, spread by biting insects, looks dramatic because the dead animals tend to be found in groups near water.

While EHD rarely impacts at the statewide population level, Jacques noted, "Locally it has an impact. If you're a landowner with 80 or 120 acres and you see 15 or 20 dead deer along your stream, [you notice]."

EHD reports have come from northeastern, southern and western Illinois.

A hard frost kills many of the biting insects that spread EHD.