SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey officials say two deer in Atlantic and Cumberland counties tested positive for COVID-19.
Samples, which were collected at butcher shops that serve hunters, tested positive for the virus. So far, about 400 samples have been collected and tested throughout the state, according to the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
There is no evidence that deer can pass along the virus to other animals or people. New Jersey is the seventh state with COVID-19-positive deer, along with Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
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Wildlife officials note that there’s no need for hunters to get their deer tested. This is being done as part of a surveillance study to better understand the potential impact of the virus on animal populations.
Other animals, like gorillas, big cats and otters, have tested positive in zoo settings nationwide.