ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio Wildlife Council will hold a special meeting in Athens on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the current Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) outbreak affecting deer in parts of southeast Ohio. The meeting, announced by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, is open to the public.
Officials said the meeting will provide a briefing on the ongoing EHD situation and give the council, as well as community members, an opportunity to ask questions. Athens was chosen as the location to make it easier for residents in affected areas to attend.
EHD Outbreak Details
As of September 4, 2025, EHD is active in Ohio, with the Village of Indian Hill confirming a significant outbreak in early September. Other areas of eastern Hamilton County are also affected, and the disease continues to spread across the state. ODNR officials say the illness, carried by midges (small biting flies), can result in high deer mortality, particularly during drought conditions.
Residents who observe sick or abnormal deer are encouraged to report them to the ODNR online or by phone to help track the outbreak. So far, over 5,000 cases have been reported in Ohio, mostly in the southeastern region. Signs of EHD in deer include pronounced swelling of the head, neck, tongue, and eyelids, as well as disorientation and little to no fear of humans.
While EHD is not transmissible to humans, it can infect several livestock species, including sheep, cows, and goats. The spread of the disease is primarily due to bites from midges, which deer are especially exposed to during dry conditions.
Meeting Details:
- What: Ohio Wildlife Council Special Meeting
- Where: Division of Wildlife District Four Office, 360 E State St., Athens, OH 45701
- When: Wednesday, Sept. 17, 4:30 p.m.
The Ohio Wildlife Council, established in 1949, is an eight-member board responsible for reviewing and voting on all Division of Wildlife-proposed rules and regulations. Meetings are open to the public, and those wishing to comment should call 614-265-6304 at least two days before the meeting. Comments are limited to three minutes each.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife’s mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and enjoyment. More information is available at wildohio.gov.
