Tribal wildlife management suspect epizootic hemorrhagic disease caused a recent spike in deer deaths on the Flathead Indian Reservation near Hot Springs, Valley View and Mission Valley.

A couple dozen white-tailed deer deaths have been reported over the last week, said Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Wildlife Management Program Manager Kari Kingery. Officials picked up nine reports of white-tailed deer deaths in a single weekend, and more reports come in every day. 

While lab tests have yet to confirm the outbreak, symptoms of hemorrhagic disease were reported in multiple cases. Animals with epizootic hemorrhagic disease will appear lethargic, foam at the mouth and sport a swollen or blue tongue.  

The virus is transmitted via bites from small flies that emerge near water in the late summer and early fall. Hemorrhagic disease is harmful to elk and can cause significant die-offs in local deer populations.  

Water availability diminishes in late summer as the landscape starts to dry up, Kingery said. As more deer drink from the same pond or drainage, there’s an increased chance of interacting with the fly species.  

“It’s a natural process,” Kingery said. “There’s nothing you can do to prevent it or mitigate it.” 

She added that the outbreak poses no threat to humans or pets. 

All meat from apparent healthy animals should be safe for consumption when cooked thoroughly. However, the public is advised to test harvested animals for chronic wasting disease. Hunters should avoid harvesting or consuming animals that appear sick. 

In contrast to hemorrhagic disease, the side effects of chronic wasting disease include droopy ears, neck and head; walking in circles; excessive drooling; and extreme weight loss.   

Hemorrhagic disease can persist in an area for two to three years after the initial outbreak, although outbreaks are often short lived. Viral infections subside once the winter frost settles in, and gnats become less active.  

Outbreaks were particularly active last year in Hot Springs and multiple Mission Valley areas. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials received reports of about two dozen dead deer in the Eureka area and a dozen dead deer in the Plains area in September 2025. Kingery confirmed that two well-known forms of viral hemorrhagic disease — the epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus and the bluetongue virus — infected deer and elk. 

Any suspected outbreaks in new areas should be reported to the Confederated Kootenai and Salish Tribe Wildlife Program. The public can alert wildlife management by emailing [email protected] or calling 406-275-2774.  

Officials noted that additional reporting of dead deer in already identified areas of suspected outbreak is unnecessary. 

Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.