An insect-carrying disease is savaging deer in Michingan.
MLive reports that the Department of Natural Resources says at least 10,400 deer have died this summer and fall, mostly in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula, from the viral disease called epizootic hemorrhagic disease.
The disease is transmitted by a type of biting fly, MLive reports.
On the DNR web page, DNR wildlife research specialist Brent Rudolph stated:
" The number of deer listed on the map and in the table is a MINIMUM number, since not all deer that die are reported. The DNR is VERY thankful to the many hunters and volunteers that are working with us to provide this information. This is a horrible disease for hunters, the public in general, and DNR personnel to see impacting the deer. But, while nobody is pleased to be dealing with this, we'll get through it, these local deer populations will rebound, and we can at least be thankful this is not a disease with human health concerns or permanent impacts on the health of our deer."
