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According to the Natural Resources Department of Illinois, more than 430 white-tailed deer would have died of an infectious disease this year in Illinois.
IDNR has received hundreds of reports of white-tailed deer that have succumbed to an epizootic haemorrhagic disease, a potentially fatal virus transmitted by biting flies. Cases were mainly identified in the central and southern parts of the state.
So far, Peoria County is the one that has recorded the highest number of deaths, with 77 cases, and the neighboring county of Fulton, 71 people. The virus has been confirmed in tissue samples taken from dead deer in the counties of Cass, Edwards, Macon, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island and Sangamon, according to an IDNR press release.
Although the virus is often deadly to deer, it is not dangerous for humans or pets. The disease can however spread to livestock, including livestock, according to IDNR.
There are cases of epizootic each year in Illinois, but their numbers are higher in warm, dry weather when the water recedes, allowing to create muddy breeding grounds for gnats. In 2012, the hottest year ever recorded in Illinois, the state experienced its worst epizootic outbreak, which resulted in 2,968 deer deaths in 87 counties.
Infected animals usually develop a high fever and die within 36 hours. They are often found near sources of water.
IDNR asks residents to be alert to dead and dying deer and to report suspected cases to their local office.
Twitter @_tonybriscoe
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