(THREE RIVERS) – A disease that attacks deer has been found in Three Rivers.

Chad Fedewa, the Acting Deer Management Specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, or EHD, which has been common in southern states for many years, has has been reported more regularly over the last ten years in Michigan, and has now been detected in Three Rivers.

The EHD virus is passed to deer through the bit of a fly, and usually shows up in late summer or early fall.

Fedewa says in recent years, the virus doesn’t show up until late in the season, which means it doesn’t have time to run its course. This year, the virus showed up earlier that normal, with the first reported case in July.

If a deer has EHD, they will start salivating and seek out water because they have a high fever. In addition, they will start to hemorrhage internally. It can kill deer in just a few days.

Fedewa says there is no way to stop the spread of the disease, until the first frost of the Fall which kills the flies.

If you find a dead deer, please contact the DNR.