Grossly deformed deer with pus-filled boils have been spotted in several states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The unusual condition has sparked concerns among wildlife experts, who have identified it as “deer warts” caused by a virus spread through disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes and ticks.
Similar cases of mutated squirrels have also been reported, with some individuals sporting unsightly growths around their heads and limbs. These squirrels are suffering from squirrel fibromatosis, a skin condition caused by the leporipoxvirus.
While the viruses affecting both deer and squirrels belong to the same broad family as one that can infect humans, experts assure that there is no risk of transmission between species. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife warns that the conditions are most frequently seen during late summer and fall due to increased insect activity.
As Americans continue to encounter these unusual creatures, scientists stress that while they may look unsettling, they pose no danger to human health.
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/tech/15016796/mutant-deer-gruesome-sores-plague-zombie-squirrels