Scientists fear animals could harbor coronavirus and then pass it “This also raises the possibility of the spillback from deer back to humans, especially in exurban areas with high deer densities,” researchers said. Joseph Guzman TheHill

A new study has found widespread coronavirus infection among white-tailed deer in Iowa and researchers are concerned the species could potentially become a reservoir for the virus. 

Scientists from Penn State University analyzed nearly 300 samples collected from deer across the state by wildlife officials during the peak of human COVID-19 infection in 2020. 

They found that more than 80 percent of white-tailed deer sampled in different areas of Iowa between December 2020 and January 2021 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. More than a third of all deer tested positive from April to December 2020. The study has not been published and was posted on the pre-print server Biorxiv Monday. 

It’s not exactly clear how the animals are being infected, although genomic sequencing of the samples indicates the deer most likely got it from humans.  ...