Leo Gillick
The wildlife of the US seems to be getting crazier by the day. We’ve recently seen zombie rabbits; now we have deer covered in disgusting warts. What’s going on?
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How to spot it: The same disease that caused rabbits across America to grow tentacles and horns has now spread to the deer. The virus, known as cutaneous fibroma, stems from papillomavirus, which is also present in rabbits and squirrels.
- Deer with the papillomavirus can be identified by the unsightly warts on their bodies and faces. They range in color and shape. Some are grey, others black. They can be as small as peas or as large as footballs.
1. Is It Fatal?
Fatality of disease: Although unsightly, they are rarely fatal. Typically, they will clear themselves. However, the virus is very easily transmitted from one deer to the next, spreading the warts around a population.
- For most infected deer, in time, the warts will simply drop off, and the animal will be free. The growth will eventually run out of blood supply and drop off. However, in some cases, they can become an obstruction.
Although the disease is rarely fatal, if the growths block the mouth or eyes, they can inadvertently kill the animal.
2. Can Humans Catch It?
Risk to humans: No, thankfully, humans aren’t susceptible to the disease. It is exclusively prevalent in deer. The virus can’t jump from one species to another. However, it is interesting to see that it has affected so many various animals in the US. Each strain is different, but stems from the same virus originally.
Hunters are still using the pelts and meat of deer infected with the warts. They simply strip them off during processing. The venison is safe to eat.
3. Why It’s More Common Now
Why it matters: The rise in the virus in the deer, rabbits, and squirrels is due to an increase in ticks and mosquitoes. Rising temperatures and humidity have spiked their numbers of late. The disease-carrying biters have been latching onto wildlife more often and spreading diseases faster and further.
As a result, certain diseases and viruses are cropping up in areas they never were before. So, keep an eye out for gross deer covered in warts. It’s a sign the mosquitoes are out.
