Deadly Deer Virus Confirmed in Four Michigan Counties

If you hunt or have deer regularly roaming through your backyard, this is something you’ll want to keep an eye on.

A nasty disease called epizootic hemorrhagic disease, better known as EHD, has been confirmed in Michigan deer. These are the state’s first confirmed cases of 2026.

What Michigan Deer Hunters Should Watch For

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EHD is spread through the bite of infected midges, which are basically tiny biting flies. I actually had to look it up because I’d never even heard of a midge before. The virus doesn’t spread directly from one deer to another.

According to the Michigan DNR, infected deer may look weak, confused, or just not act right. You might also notice swelling around its head and neck or blood near its mouth and nose.

 What Michigan Counties Have Confirmed EHD Cases?

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According to WILX, EHD has been confirmed in Branch, Ingham, Jackson, and Lenawee counties. It can really hammer the deer population in one area, but it usually doesn’t have a major impact statewide.

The good news is that EHD can’t infect people or pets. Healthy deer taken from those counties are still safe to eat. Obviously, if a deer looks sick or isn’t acting right, don’t eat it.

If you find a sick or dead deer, report it through the DNR’s online wildlife disease reporting system. Unfortunately, the outbreak probably won’t end until Michigan gets its first hard frost and those tiny biting midges finally die off.