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‘Zombie deer’ discovered in multiple parts of the Miami Valley

MIAMI VALLEY — “Zombie deer” have been discovered in parts of the Miami Valley, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

>> RELATED: ‘Zombie deer’ spotted in parts of Ohio, Indiana

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife says it has confirmed cases of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in white-tailed deer in Butler, Champaign, Franklin, Greene, Preble, and Warren counties.

EDH has also been discovered in deer in several other counties in Ohio, including Athens, Franklin, Hamilton, Highland, Madison, Perry, Ross and Union counties.

Officials say EHD is one of the most common ailments affecting deer, and the disease occurs in the late summer and fall in deer herds across North America. Outbreaks are often associated with drought.

Ohio saw a rise in cases beginning in mid-August this year, according to officials.

The virus is not infectious to people or pets and is not spread from animal to animal, officials said. It’s transmitted by the bite of small insects called midges, so EHD-associated deaths in deer can occur until the first frost of the year causes a decline in midge activity.

Signs of EHD include:

  • Deer walking in circles
  • General weakness
  • Loss of fear of humans
  • Swollen or blue-tinged tongue
  • Swollen eyelids
  • Swollen neck or head
  • Respiratory distress

Sightings of sick or dead deer can be reported at wildohio.gov or to a local Ohio wildlife officer so the Division of Wildlife can track incidences and perform tests.

For more information about EHD, you can click here.

News Center 7 is working to learn more and will continue updating this story.

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