La Crosse County Deer Positive For Fatal Disease

WISCONSIN — One deer tested positive for a fatal virus Tuesday after a landowner found eight dead deer south of La Crosse, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced.

The deer tested positive for the virus that causes epizootic hemorrhagic disease, which can be carried by midges, also known as biting gnats or no-see-ums, the department said.

The disease doesn't affect humans even if they handle infected animals, eat venison from them or are bitten by midges that carry the virus. Nevertheless, the department advised against people handling deer carcasses because they may carry other pathogens harmful to humans.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is deadly to deer and can kill them within eight to 36 hours, the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab said.

Here are some signs that a deer may have epizootic hemorrhagic disease.

• Excessive salivation or foaming around the nose and mouth.
• Appearing weak and approachable by humans.
• Carcasses found in or near water sources. Infected deer will often lie in water to cool down or to drink.
• Swollen head, neck, tongue or eyelids.

People who see sick or dead deer should contact their county wildlife biologist. The department won't collect or remove deer that are suspected of dying of the disease as they're not a threat to living deer.

There were small outbreaks in deer in Buffalo and Oconto counties in fall 2020, the department said. An outbreak in Crawford and six surrounding counties affected approximately 300 deer.