The Pennsylvania Game Commission has canceled a planned late-season flintlock/late archery deer hunt at the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area because of an outbreak of a deadly viral disease in the deer herd in that area.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease was ruled as the cause of death for a dozen deer in the region in September. EHD is transmitted by the bites of midges and usually kills infected animals within five days to 10 days. The commission said the untreatable disease is not infectious to humans, but infected venison may not be suitable for consumption.

“Recent frost in the area may hopefully end this year’s outbreak of EHD,” Northwest Region director Keith Harbaugh said. “However, in evaluating the situation in this area, we estimate that 75 percent to 85 percent of the deer herd found on the wildlife management area has succumbed to EHD.

“It would appear that Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area, and portions of the surrounding State Game Land 214 are the epicenter, as we have multiple reports of dead deer from Meadville Junction to just east of Conneaut Lake to Adamsville to Espyville.”

Harbaugh said the commission does expect to have a special hunt in 2013.