The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is offering a new tool for residents to report and track sick deer throughout the state.
The Iowa DNR reports severe hemorrhagic disease outbreaks in deer are common with the last outbreak in 2023. The disease, also known as EHD or Bluetongue, can be fatal in deer, with symptoms including circling, not eating and loss of fear of humans.
The disease cannot be transferred from deer to humans, with most deer being infected by insects during the summer.
According to Iowa DNR, the reporting tool will "help simplify the process as well as improve the accuracy of the number of deer and local areas impacted."
The department says deer populations usually recover within two to three years with no management action necessary, but counties with low populations may need assistance to facilitate recovery.
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