Two deer deaths in East Dundee among 40 Illinois cases tied to midges

Forty deer deaths in Illinois this year — including two confirmed cases in East Dundee — are being attributed to a virus transmitted by a tiny insect, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The two infected deer were found in the area of the Lakewood subdivisions, north of Barrington Avenue, according to a post on the village’s website this week.

Both died from Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, known as EHD, the result of midges biting white tail deer and other hoofed animals, according to government resource websites. Such cases tend to occur in late summer or early autumn and during drought conditions, officials said.

Public Works Director Phil Cotter said this was the first time the disease has been detected in East Dundee in the more than nine years he has worked for the village.

“Village officials are in direct communication with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources regarding this issue,” the village website post said. “EHD cannot infect humans. It poses no public health risk. Dogs and cats cannot contract the virus.”

According to the IDNR website, “drought conditions tend to exaggerate the impacts of EHD as deer tend to congregate around the limited water sources. Receding water levels around ponds, lakes, streams and rivers result in exposed muddy areas from which the midges hatch.”

Conversely, flooding also leads to more potential places for midges to breed, increasing their population and leading to outbreaks.

“Dead and sick deer often are found near water sources such as lakes, ponds or streams, although a deer carcasses found farther from a water source could have succumbed to EHD,” the state post said.

There is no known treatment for EHD, and the number of infected deer will decrease only after a hard frost kills midges.

The East Dundee post advises people not to touch or approach dead or sick-looking wildlife and to keep pets leashed and away from animal carcasses.

A significant outbreak of EHD has been seen in at least two counties in Wisconsin. According to an online report, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources told WISN-TV News in Milwaukee that as of Tuesday morning, the department had received reports of more than 600 “EHD suspect deer” from Washington County and more than 100 from Waukesha County.

In East Dundee, to report a dead deer found on public property, call the Public Works Department at (847) 426-2822. To submit a report online, go to eastdundee.net/citizen_request_center.

Residents are responsible for removing deer carcasses on their own land but are encouraged to report the location for tracking purposes.

To submit a report to the IDNR, go to wildlifeillinois.org/get-help-for-injured-wildlife/sick-or-injured-wildlife or call (815) 529-6396.

For more information about EHD and other wildlife diseases, go to wildlifeillinois.org/identify-wildlife/wildlife-diseases or cms9.revize.com/revize/eastdundeeil/news_detail_T9_R326.php.

Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.