Startling Discovery Suggests 40% of Wild Deer in The US Have Had The Coronavirus

 The novel coronavirus appears to have somehow jumped from humans to wild deer in some parts of the United States.

In the northeast corner of the nation, a recent federal survey found neutralizing antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 in 40 percent of all white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that were sampled.

In the state of Michigan alone, 67 percent of free-ranging deer showed immune markers for the coronavirus in their bloodwork.

It's the first evidence of widespread exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in wild animals, and while the preprint study still needs to be verified and peer-reviewed, the findings are cause for concern.

While none of the deer showed adverse health effects, the presence of specific antibodies in their blood suggests they recently fought off the virus.

By silently harboring and spreading this pathogen, scientists worry deer populations are allowing SARS-CoV-2 to adapt and evolve into new strains – ones that could possibly re-infect humans years down the road with even greater transmissibility and severity than before. 

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