Overview
- State agencies from New York to Wisconsin identify the viral growths as cutaneous fibromas, a long-documented condition now drawing attention due to widely shared photos.
- Officials emphasize the virus is species-specific and does not transmit to people, pets, or livestock, and venison from affected animals can be eaten if handled and cooked normally.
- Transmission is linked to mosquitoes, ticks, and close contact among deer, with sightings peaking in late summer when vector activity increases, according to wildlife departments.
- Most cases resolve without serious harm, though very large or infected tumors can impair vision, feeding, or movement and may warrant euthanasia in severe instances.
- Agencies urge the public not to handle or feed wildlife and to report sightings, noting there is no clear evidence of a 2025 surge despite increased visibility on social media and camera traps.