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A hemorrhagic disease has been detected in Butler County’s deer population.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, a virus that’s often fatal to white-tailed deer, has been detected in five townships across Butler, Erie, Lawrence and Mercer counties so far this year, including in Butler County’s Muddy Creek Township, a Monday, Sept. 9 news release from the Pennsylvania Game Commission said.

Muddy Creek Township is the only Butler County municipality currently named by the game commission.

The disease spreads to deer from infected midges, small insects that emerge in late summer and usually remain until the first hard frost. The commission said when it comes to diseases spread by insects, wildlife management options are limited.

Infected deer begin to show clinical signs around seven days after infection and die soon after. According to the commission, deer mortality in areas where the disease is present can be severe, with local deer populations taking two to three years to rebound.

The commission asked the public to report sick or dead deer, especially if several are found dead in the same area and the cause of death is not apparent, to 1-833-742-9453.

As epizootic hemorrhagic disease can infect domestic livestock, the commission also asked the public to direct reports of sick livestock to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852.