All articles tagged with #michigan dnr
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) has been confirmed in white-tailed deer in four Michigan counties and is being tracked in Missouri. The virus, transmitted by biting midges, causes high fevers and internal bleeding, leading to rapid death. Officials confirm the disease does not affect humans or pets, and venison from healthy deer remains safe to consume. Outbreaks typically end after the first frost.
Hemorrhagic disease is causing significant deer mortality in Missouri and Michigan, with similar outbreaks reported in Wisconsin. The virus, spread by midges, has no cure but poses no risk to humans. Officials urge the public to report sick or dead deer to monitor the spread.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed the state’s first cases of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) for 2026, with infections detected in white-tailed deer across Branch, Ingham, Jackson, and Lenawee counties. The virus, transmitted by biting midges, causes internal bleeding and high fevers, often leading deer to seek water before dying. While the disease is fatal to deer, officials emphasize it poses no risk to humans or pets. Current outbreak levels are comparable to the 2025 season, and the DNR advises hunters to avoid processing visibly sick animals.
Hunters are being warned not to consume venison from deer killed within a three-mile radius of Clark's Marsh in Oscoda Township, Michigan, due to ongoing PFAS pollution. The state-issued advisory, which has been in effect since 2018, is due to likely contamination of the animals' livers and muscle tissues with harmful per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). The advisory zone was recently reduced from five miles to three miles. In addition, an advisory against consuming fish and other wildlife from Clark's Marsh remains in place. PFAS are persistent chemicals that accumulate in the environment and can have various adverse health effects. The contamination in the area is linked to the use of PFAS-based firefighting foam by the Air Force at the now-closed Wurtsmith base.