Del. residents asked to report dead deer to help track disease

With white-tailed deer at risk of contracting epizootic hemorrhagic disease, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is asking people to report cases of dead deer when their is no clear sign of death.

More than 100 deer deaths have been reported across all three counties so far this year, according to the Division of Fish & Wildlife.Getting reports about the death can help track the disease, which is transmitted by small biting flies.

EHD outbreaks often happen during droughts and taper off when the flies die during the first frost. Though EHD can affect livestock, the white-tailed deer in the region are the most at-risk. Humans can’t get EHD from the flies or from eating the venison of an infected deer, but should avoid consuming the deer meat to stave off a secondary infection.

To report a dead deer, call the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 302-735-3600.