Mutant deer with flesh bubbles seen in US states, sparking outbreak fears

Deer across the US are appearing with tumor-like growths, known as deer cutaneous fibroma or deer warts. The condition has been reported from New York to Wisconsin, with these abnormalities resembling bubbles on the animals' bodies.

The virus causing this is primarily spread by insects like mosquitoes and ticks, which scientist Dr Awan says due to climate change are thriving in warmer weather. Although the growths can look alarming, they are rarely fatal and typically resolve on their own after some months.

Experts caution that rising temperatures due to climate change may lead to more such conditions as disease vectors proliferate. Notably, while deer warts affect only deer, these animals are also carriers of other diseases like Lyme disease that can impact humans.