"USDA Study: Deer's Role in Coronavirus Mutation Revealed"
A study led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has found evidence that white-tailed deer may be responsible for a coronavirus mutation that has been detected in humans. The study suggests that deer can act as a "reservoir species" where the virus can survive, mutate, and potentially transmit to other species. While virus spread caused by wild animals is rare, it plays a role in virus adaptation. The research highlights the importance of understanding how diseases can spread and evolve in wildlife populations to better prepare for future infectious disease outbreaks.