Carbondale Reporter

State Representative Paul Jacobs has issued a warning to landowners and hunters to remain vigilant for signs of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in deer this fall. In a Facebook post dated September 7, Jacobs urged individuals "to keep an eye out for deer with signs of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)."

"Illinois landowners, hunters, and wildlife watchers are encouraged to keep an eye out for deer with signs of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD," said Jacobs, State Represntative, according to Facebook.

In his post, Jacobs shared an article from Outdoor News that posed the question, "Will EHD affect the Illinois deer herd in 2024?" According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR), they are currently awaiting EHD reports from hunters. Last year, there were reports from 18 counties, including Pike and Tazewell counties, which had the highest number of cases in 2023.

Screenshot of Rep. Paul Jacobs' Sept. 7 Facebook post | State Representative Paul Jacobs' Facebook page

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease is a highly infectious and often fatal virus that affects white-tailed deer and other animals. Signs appear seven days after a deer has been bitten and include sluggishness, difficulty breathing, salivation, and swelling of the head, neck, tongue, or eyelids. Affected animals develop a fever and can die anywhere from 8-36 hours after observable signs start.

The Cornell Wildlife Health Lab states that Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) primarily affects white-tailed deer but can also impact mule deer, pronghorn antelope, sheep, cows, and goats. There is no treatment for HD, which is transmitted by tiny biting flies known as Culicoides midges or "no-see-ums." The condition is diagnosed through clinical signs and virus testing on tissues and blood.

Hunters and landowners are encouraged to report sick or dead white-tailed deer to the IDNR via a special website called Wildlife Illinois. The form requests contact information and details such as the number of dead or sick deer seen and their location. It also asks for observed signs in the deer and how close they were found to water. Individuals can submit photos if available.

Jacobs was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2020. Before joining the Illinois legislature, he was an optometrist and owner of Von Jakob Vineyard in Alto Pass. He served in the US Navy from 1965 to 1971. He and his wife have four grown children and ten grandchildren.