The Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in the White Tailed Deer population of NJ. EHD is not a public health threat.
EHD and Bluetongue are contracted from the bite of insects called midges. They cannot be transmitted to people, and humans are not at risk by handling infected deer, being bitten by infected midges, or eating infected deer meat.
EHD outbreaks typically begin in late summer and end with the first frost. Symptoms in deer may include difficulty standing, drooling, and emitting foam from the mouth or nose. Since the disease causes fever, sick or dead deer are often seen in or near water.
In Princeton, the first suspected case of EHD was found by Animal Control on 8/30/2021 in the Oak Ridge area of town. Since then, the ACO has documented 25 deceased deer not caused by a motor vehicle collision.
Animal Control would like the public to report any sick or deceased deer through our online portal or call 609-924-2728. The ACO is providing carcass pick up and is forwarding all information to NJ DEP.
If you have reported a carcass on your property, the ACO will respond as quickly as possible to get it removed. Animal Control works Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm.