JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) says it was alerted to multiple reports of hemorrhagic disease (HD) in Missouri deer during the summer.

HD—which is another term for bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease—is deadly among deer. According to MDC, the disease spreads to deer because of "no-see-um" bites.

“Hemorrhagic disease is a naturally occurring virus in Missouri’s deer population,” said MDC Wildlife Health Program Supervisor Deb Hudman. “Outbreaks are most common between July and October and typically end after a heavy frost kills the midges that spread it.”

Although the department is not expecting a widespread outbreak this year, MDC is calling for the public's help in reporting possible HD cases to determine the extent of the disease.

MDC says that by submitting potential reports, it will assist biologists when it comes to observing deer and understanding HD. Deer that contract HD die within days, MDC says. And they're likely to be found in or near water.

Signs of HD in deer include:

• Troubles moving
• Challenges in breathing
• Swelling of head, neck or tongue
• Dazed or unresponsive behavior
• Intense fever—which causes them to want water

The department noted that the deer population often recovers years following multiple HD cases. The state of Missouri, however, saw its worst hemorrhagic disease in 2012 due to there being a drought.

MDC's website provides more information about the disease, and Missourians can report potential HD cases here.