SPRINGFIELD — Landowners and hunters are asked to be on the lookout for dead or dying deer in the coming weeks.

Department of Natural Resource officials are asking for the information as they investigate a possible outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease – also known as EHD.

The virus is transmitted between deer by a midge that hatches from muddy areas along lakes, ponds and streams.

DNR officials want to collect tissue samples from the animals to confirm the presence of the virus.