The Wildlife Management division of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, together with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, has identified an outbreak of Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Northwest Cook County. EHD is an acute, infectious, often fatal viral disease which particularly affects deer.

Long restricted to the South, the disease is spread by the midge (a flying insect), and is not harmful to humans or other non-ruminant wildlife. The recent drought is thought to have created conditions that allow for the spread of EHD to our local deer.

While there is currently no cure or treatment for the disease, Forest Preserve District wildlife biologists and resource management staff are working closely with specialists to monitor the outbreak. The outbreak is anticipated to subside after the first frost, which will kill the midge, generally in mid-October.

Please report any incidences in your area to the Department of Resource Management at 708-771-1180.

For more information, click here to visit the Forest Preserve District Website.