The white-tailed deer in the region have the ability to catch coronavirus from humans and then spread it further, which might intensify outbreaks in the future, according to an Iowa-based study.
"Not really a surprising results since we're seeing that deer can be infected with COVID. Still disappointing that the virus has spilled into the wild deer population. Widespread Coronavirus Infection Found in Iowa Deer, New Study Says," Krysten Schuler said in a tweet Nov. 3.
Many deer in Iowa appear to have been affected with COVID-19. The new infection poses risks that the virus could mutate and re-enter the human population in an altered version, the Des Moines Register reported.
Currently, there is more research needed to determine whether the deer can pass the virus back to humans, Business Insider reported.
There is a low risk of animal-to-human transmission, but it is not impossible for this to happen.
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