State wildlife officials say a virus killed nearly 100 deer on an eastern Pennsylvania farm in the first outbreak of the illness in the state since 2007.
The Morning Call in Allentown reports the deer at a breeding operation in Danielsville, Northampton County started dying in August. The Pennsylvania Game Commission says the deer died of epizootic hemorrhagic disease.
The virus is not harmful to humans but wildlife officials advise against eating the meat of infected deer.
The Morning Call report says the virus is more common in the south. Outbreaks have also been reported in New York and New Jersey in the last month.
The virus is transmitted by small flies, called midges. Game officials say the midges will be killed by the first frost.
Flies Distribute Deadly Disease to Pa. Deer
Copyright AP - Associated Press
