Hunter Catches Deer Disease on Video - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

*WARNING: SOME VIDEO WITHIN THE STORY MAY BE HARD TO WATCH FOR SOME VIEWERS.

A new report shows epizootic hemorrahgic disease, or EHD, has now spread to 22 counties and killed more than 4,000 deer. The majority of the cases have come from Ionia County.

One local man got video of a deer with the disease and wants to warn hunters what to look out for. Mike Gwillin noticed the deer while fishing at a his family cottage in Deltons in Barry County.@

The deer shows all the symptoms of EHD: emanciated, weak, foaming at the mouth and left nearly in a complete shock like state. The deer seems to have no fear of people, as Gwillin shot the video nearly 12 feet away.

The deer seek water because of the high fever associated with the disease, but there isn't much anyone can do for these deer or to control the disease.

"To see an animal actually suffer, that's not what anybody wants to see. It's very heartbreaking and its saddening that you can't do anything about it," said Gwillin.

The disease is transimitted by a small biting fly called a midge. Experts say there is no risk to people, but many are concerned about what this will mean come hunting season.

The DNR and Ionia County Hunting and Fishing Club will hold a meeting at 7p.m. to talk about the situation there. It will be held at Bertha Borck Park, just west of Ionia off M-21.