Wildlife officials say the growths are a manifestation of deer fibromas (also known as deer warts), a viral infection transmitted between animals. Experts warn the condition is spreading rapidly during the summer.

"Wart growth typically peaks in late summer and extends into fall, likely due to increased insect activity at this time of year," a representative from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said on 21/8.

The virus primarily spreads through disease-carrying insects like mosquitos and ticks, which transmit blood from infected deer to healthy ones. As these insects thrive in warm weather, Americans are advised to expect more cases wherever deer live.

This year, the US has also recorded cases of rabbits and squirrels with similar lesions and growths. These are species-specific viruses. The deer virus does not infect humans or other animals.

A mutated deer posted on social media. Photo: *Reddit*

Deer warts can be as small as peas or as large as softballs. They are typically gray, black, or flesh-colored and hairless. While insects are considered the primary cause, direct contact with the warts can also transmit the infection. Dr. Kristin Mansfield, a wildlife veterinarian, said the virus can spread when deer share feeding areas, bedding sites, or rub against the same tree.

Fortunately, the disease rarely kills deer, Mansfield said. Their immune systems are usually strong enough to fight the virus, and the warts will recede and disappear within a few months. However, in some cases, if the growths are too large or become infected, they can obstruct vision or make it difficult for deer to eat or drink.

Health experts say Americans should be prepared for similar diseases to continue spreading as temperatures remain warmer for more months of the year. Dr. Omer Awan, from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, explained that climate change has allowed mosquitos and ticks to live longer and spread to areas they wouldn't normally inhabit. He cited Lyme disease, an illness deer can carry and transmit to humans through ticks, as an example. "We're starting to see it in areas we haven't seen before, like southern Canada or the northern states on the East Coast," he said.

My Y (According to *Daily Mail*, *US Sun*)