Two deer deaths confirmed in East Dundee have been linked to Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), a virus transmitted by biting midges, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). These cases are part of a broader trend, with approximately 40 deer deaths reported across Illinois this year attributed to the disease.

The infected deer were discovered in the Lakewood subdivisions area, north of Barrington Avenue, village officials said in a recent statement. East Dundee Public Works Director Phil Cotter noted this is the first confirmed detection of EHD in the village during his more than nine years on the job.

EHD primarily impacts white-tailed deer and other hoofed animals but poses no risk to humans or domestic pets, officials emphasized. The virus spreads through midges—small biting insects—that tend to thrive in specific environmental conditions. The IDNR stated that both drought and flooding can contribute to increased midge populations, either by concentrating deer near limited water sources during dry spells or by creating new breeding grounds in standing water.

Deer affected by the disease are often found dead near lakes, ponds, or streams, though carcasses may occasionally be located farther from water. There is currently no treatment for EHD, and mortality typically subsides only after frost eliminates the midges carrying the virus.

In response to the outbreak, East Dundee officials are maintaining communication with the IDNR and advise residents to avoid handling or approaching sick or dead wildlife. They also recommend keeping pets leashed to prevent contact with potentially infected carcasses.

The disease has also caused significant deer deaths in Wisconsin, notably in Washington and Waukesha Counties, where the state Department of Natural Resources reported receiving over 700 suspected EHD cases combined earlier this week.

Residents in East Dundee are urged to report dead deer found on public property to the village’s Public Works Department by phone at 847-426-2822 or online through the village website. While landowners are responsible for removing carcasses on private property, reporting their locations assists wildlife officials in monitoring the disease’s spread. Additional reports can be submitted directly to the IDNR via their website or hotline at 815-529-6396.

Further information about EHD and other wildlife diseases is available on state resource websites maintained by the IDNR and local authorities.