Idaho Fish and Game confirmed epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and bluetongue in deer across North Idaho’s Panhandle amid hot, dry conditions, with similar outbreaks reported in Eastern Washington and southeastern Montana. Officials report hundreds of sick or dead deer and expect cases to rise until a hard freeze reduces biting midge vectors.

The cause of death is almost certainly acute Aspergillosis, a respiratory tract infection caused by a fungus commonly found in soil, dead leaves, moldy grain, compost piles, or in other decaying vegetation. Wildlife managers say the die-off seems to have stopped, likely due to the fungus source no longer being available.