The U.S. government confirmed Friday that it had confirmed COVID-19 in deer. This added to the number of animals already positive for the disease.

According to a statement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported SARS-CoV-2 infections in wild white-tailed deer from Ohio. This virus causes COVID-19. According to the USDA, there were no cases of deer showing signs of infection.

Lyndsay Cole, a spokesperson for USDA, wrote that she did not know how deer were exposed. It’s possible that they were exposed by humans, the environment, or another species.

The USDA reported COVID-19 in dogs, cats and lions as well as snow leopards, otters and gorillas.

According to the agency, animal infections that were contracted worldwide by COVID-19-infected individuals who had been in close contact with them are at highest risk.

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According to the USDA, white-tailed deer populations in Illinois and New York were exposed to SARS CoV-2. This was based on a study that tested serum samples taken from deer that had been free to roam for antibodies.

According to the USDA, samples were taken from infected Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine deer from January through March as part of ongoing research. According to the statement, the samples were found to be positive for COVID-19 during university tests. The cases were then confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories.