The Pennsylvania Game Commission is looking into what’s behind the deaths of dozens of white-tailed deer in southern Berks and northern Chester counties.

Southeast Region director Bruce Metz said numerous samples have been sent to a Georgia laboratory to determine the cause of a “significant deer mortality event.”

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, contracted through the bite of insects called “biting midges”, is suspected of causing the deaths of deer examined so far, but the Game Commission has not received confirmation of an outbreak.

Officials said the virus usually kills deer within 5-10 days. It is not spread from deer to deer by contact and is not infectious to humans, but deer with severe symptoms are usually not suitable for consumption.

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Online: www.pgc.pa.gov