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COOLVILLE — A sample taken from a dead deer in Washington County tested positive for a disease found recently in Athens County.

The sample from Washington County came back positive for epizootic hemorrhagic disease, said Lindsey Rist, wildlife communications specialist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

One case of the disease – which is fatal to deer and has no known treatment in wild populations – was confirmed by the division in Athens County last month. Residents of the Coolville area reported finding multiple deer dead at that time.

Animals afflicted with EHD are likely to die within three days after showing symptoms, which can include a fever; swelling of the head, neck, tongue and eyelids; disorientation and respiratory distress. It is transmitted by insects called “biting midges,” which can be found commonly around areas of water.

Rist said in July that it was a little unusual to see cases of EHD that early in the summer.

A message seeking the number of dead deer reported in Washington and Athens counties was not returned by deadline Friday.

With cases confirmed in both Washington and Athens counties, Rist said the division does not plan to send additional samples for testing. However, it is still important for residents to report dead deer through the agency’s online Wildlife Reporting System.

“This gives people the opportunity to provide an exact location on a map, denote the health status of the deer and choose the habitat type that best represents where it was observed,” she said. “All of this information is important for determining the spatial extent and severity of any outbreaks, and will help with management decisions in the affected counties.”

The Wildlife Reporting System can be accessed online at https://tinyurl.com/4n4tx4u5.