Mysterious deer deaths in central Pa.? Here's what could be the cause

Some central Pennsylvania residents are claiming there has been a mass of deer deaths in Dauphin County.

An ABC 27 report said hunters claimed to know of at least 21 deer that dropped dead in Carsonville and that others are adding to that tally on Facebook.

Travis Lau, communications director for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, said that of these deer deaths, four were reported to the game commission.

Lau also said that one of those deer was given a necropsy exam, which is used to determine a general cause for death.

"The deer we examined was a small fawn that appeared to have been born late," Lau said. "Our belief is that it simply was in in poor condition due to dehydration and other losses associated with diarrhea, and died."

"That’s not to say there isn’t something more going on up there," Lau added in a later email. 

The reports of sweeping deer casualties have stirred up a frenzy about what could be the cause behind the deaths. Here are a few possibilities:  

Chronic Wasting Disease

CWD has become quite a scare in central Pennsylvania after a case was found in northern Lancaster County last year. But Lau said CWD wouldn’t likely be the cause  given CWD's slow-moving nature.

“Let’s suppose this massive deer die-off is true. We wouldn’t suspect CWD in that because it’s so slow-acting,” he said. “It has massive effects on deer populations, but it takes usually around 1-2 years for a deer to develop clinical symptoms that will kill the deer. That’s why it’s hard to contain.”

The reported deer deaths were not within a disease management area for CWD.

More:Is your deer safe to eat? Here's a refresher on Chronic Wasting Disease

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease

EHD is a virus that can cause extensive hemorrhages and symptoms can occur within seven days of exposure. Deer with EHD can lose appetite, become weak and have spells of unconsciousness.

Lau said EHD has sprouted up in Pennsylvania a handful of times and is caused by bite of virus carrying non-native flies or midges. Pennsylvania whitetail deer don’t have the immunities to combat the virus.

“When EHD is introduced here, it can have some pretty drastic effects,” Lau said. “But usually it’s a summertime risk, so the timing is a bit off if it were EHD.”

Rumen Acidosis

This condition can occur when forest-dwelling deer ingest large quantities of fermentable carbohydrates that their system isn’t accustomed to such as grain, corn, wheat or commercial deer feed.

The introduction of these items into a deer’s system can quickly affect the digestive system within 24 hours and can cause staggering or inability to stand up. It can also cause sudden death within 24-72 hours.

“When people put feed out in the winter time, sometimes it can shock the deer’s system,” Lau said. “But if these deer were already around agricultural areas, usually that wouldn’t be a problem.”

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