Deadly Deer Disease Found in Northern Michigan - Northern Michigan's News Leader

It is called epizootic hemorrhagic disease and it has killed more than 4,000 deer statewide.

The deer contracts the virus from a midge, a small insect, and then their body shuts down and eventually the animal dies from internal bleeding.

It is a very localized disease but is spreading as the mild temperatures continue into the fall.

Humans cannot pick up the disease so even if you harvested an EHD positive deer this season, it is okay to eat the animal when properly cooked.

9&10's Eric Lloyd and photojournalist Tony Zyber spoke with the DNR on the disease's spread and has more details.