Information for this story also came from the Associated PressKentucky wildlife officials are seeking the public’s help in tracking the health of the state’s deer herd.They’re trying to locate deer suffering from a fatal disease that’s prevalent in warm weather.It’s called epizootic hemorrhagic disease—EHD---which has been found in white-tailed deer across the southeastern U.S. since 1966. EHD is spread by flies known as biting midges. Infected animals will lose their appetites, drool excessively and lose their fear of humans. They often congregate around farm ponds or other bodies of water to reduce their body temperatures. Humans are not at risk of catching the disease by handling infected deer, eating venison or being bitten by midges.Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources officials routinely track outbreaks of the illness with the help of the public. Anyone spotting a suspected sick deer should contact the department.
