Jagged fibroid "hell deer" appears, haunting Americans

Deer with bodies covered in black tumors are spreading fear in the US. Scientists have identified the disease, and warned about climate change.

North American wildlife seems to be sending out alarming signals. After the appearance of pustular “zombie squirrels”, now another gruesome image has been recorded in the states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin: deer with bodies covered with fibrous tumors, resembling giant black warts, like creatures from hell.

On online forums, disturbing photos continue to circulate. One Reddit user posted a picture of a deer covered in tumors in his backyard, along with the confused caption: “Not sure what’s wrong with it, don’t know how to help.” Another user posted a photo of a deer with similar tumors growing on its face and chest, wondering about the strange disease that afflicts the animal.

In response to public concern, wildlife experts quickly stepped in. According to the Maine Department of Fish and Wildlife, the tumors were a manifestation of a disease called deer fibroma.

The culprit behind the disease is a virus in the papillomavirus family, similar to the virus that causes the strange horns in the "Frankenstein rabbit."

The virus attacks the skin of deer and elk, causing cells to grow abnormally, forming hard, rough tumors that are often dark in color and hairless. Most infected animals have only a few small tumors, but in severe cases, the tumors grow large or spread throughout the body.

The good news is that the disease is not contagious to humans or other animals. The virus is transmitted between deer through direct contact, or indirectly when deer share feeding grounds or rub their antlers against the same tree. Furthermore, deer’s immune systems usually fight the virus on their own, and the tumors shrink and disappear within a few months without intervention.

In cases where the tumor grows too large, hindering the animal's ability to eat, move or see, authorities may consider humane euthanasia.

Although the virus that causes fibromyxoma is not transmitted to humans, experts warn of an indirect danger. Infected deer can carry ticks, which in turn are vectors for Lyme disease, a serious disease that can be transmitted to humans.

So why do strange diseases in wild animals seem to be on the rise? Scientists believe climate change is one of the underlying causes.

Global warming has created ideal conditions for disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes and ticks to thrive and expand their range, explains Omer Awan, MD, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "Diseases that were previously absent in one area are now endemic," he says. Lyme disease, for example, is increasingly appearing in more northern regions like southern Canada and the US state of Maine.

The explosion of social media has also contributed to increased awareness. People can easily record and share unusual images, making discussions on the subject more common.

The appearance of "deer", "zombie squirrels" or "Frankenstein rabbits" is not a sign of the end of the world. They are clear signs, warnings that nature is sending to humans. They show that the balance of ecosystems is being disrupted, climate change is creating unpredictable consequences, not only for the natural world but also for our own health.

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