Michiana sportsmen should be on the lookout for sickly or dying deer, potentially infected with epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD).

At least one case has been confirmed in Cass County, Mich. already with other reports trickling in from other southwest Michigan counties. Cass County has been hit hard with EHD the past two years.

And while the disease has been confirmed in southern Indiana counties, northern Indiana biologist Linda Byer says she has received no confirmations of inflicted deer in her district.

“We did receive reports of dead deer in or near water in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties but the deer had been dead over 24 hours and could not be tested for EHD,” she said. “Neither case showed apparent signs of the disease.”

Dave Brauer of Crane Pond Game Area in Jones, Mich. said one confirmed case has been confirmed in Marcellus Township of Cass County. Signs of the disease are appearing a month earlier than in the previous two years.

“We’re getting a lot of calls, but that’s the only confirmed case in Cass County as of right now,” Brauer said Friday. “We have received confirmed cases in Branch, Iona and Clinton counties.”

Brauer said this summer’s drought conditions and hot weather make for “ripe conditions” for an EHD outbreak.

EHD is a viral disease that likely affects white-tailed deer every year. It typically occurs during late summer and early fall, and there is evidence that shows outbreaks may be worse during drought years. EHD is transmitted by flies commonly known as biting midges, sand gnats and no-see-ums. Some deer are immune to the virus.

Deer infected with EHD may appear depressed or feverish. They often seek comfort in or around water. Other signs may include blue-tinted tongue or eyes, ulcers on the tongue, sloughed hooves or an eroded dental pad.

More details will be provided in my column to be published in the South Bend Tribune Sunday and the Goshen News Monday. Michiana Outdoors News will provide those details early next week.