BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has officially confirmed the state’s first cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) for the 2026 season.
In a joint effort, the DNR Wildlife Health Section and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory detected the viral infection in free-ranging white-tailed deer across four southern Michigan counties: Branch, Ingham, Jackson, and Lenawee.
The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected midge, or biting fly, and is often fatal to the animals, frequently causing infected deer to seek out bodies of water to counter high fevers and severe dehydration.
Wildlife officials emphasize that EHD cannot be transmitted directly from deer to deer, nor can it infect humans, household pets, or other wildlife species.
While venison harvested from healthy deer in these affected regions remains completely safe to consume, the DNR strictly advises hunters against processing any animals that appear visibly sick.
State experts note that current outbreak levels are tracking similarly to the 2025 season.
Property owners and outdoor enthusiasts who encounter disoriented, sick, or dead deer are strongly encouraged to report their sightings online through the Michigan DNR Eyes in the Field reporting system to help track the virus until the first hard frost eliminates the midge population.
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