‘Mutant deer’ with bubble skin sparks outbreak
Strange Deer Sightings Go Viral
Photos of deer covered in dark, warty “flesh bubbles” have alarmed social media users in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. One Reddit user wrote: “Not sure what’s wrong with her or how we can help. Gunshot wound? Tumor? Fireworks? Prion disease?”
What’s Really Happening?
Experts say it’s deer fibroma, a skin condition caused by a papillomavirus. According to Maine wildlife officials: “These manifest as firm, warty growths fixed to the skin of a deer… typically dark in color and bare of fur.”
Is It Dangerous?
The virus spreads by close contact. “Just like the human warts, they come from direct contact,” said Dr. Kristin Mansfield. It’s harmless to humans, and the meat is safe to eat: “They’re limited to the skin, and you can just cut them off.”
Why More Cases?
Experts link the trend to climate change and increased social media sharing.
