According to a recent analysis, humans have transmitted COVID-19 to American deer over 100 times. Surprisingly, the virus has also passed back to humans on a few occasions. The study discovered that the “deer-adapted” virus, containing early alpha and gamma variants, circulated in deer after becoming less common in human populations. This raises concerns about the ability of deer to maintain and mutate the virus, potentially leading to the emergence of new variants that can infect humans. Xiu-Feng Wan, the author of the study from the University of Missouri, states, “The persistence and evolution of SARS-CoV-2, or any zoonotic disease, in wildlife populations can create unique public health risks.” Wan notes that deer frequently interact with humans and are often found in human environments, such as near homes, pets, wastewater, and trash.
Initially, scientists from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service collected over 11,000 samples from wild white-tailed deer in 26 states and Washington, DC. The results showed that nearly one-third of the samples had coronavirus antibodies, and 12% had active infections, as reported by the New York Times. Subsequently, the CDC and the University of Missouri collaborated with APHIS to sequence approximately 400 samples collected between November 2021 and April 2022. They identified variants such as alpha, gamma, delta, and omicron by comparing the sequences with publicly reported samples from human infections. According to CBS News, this analysis allowed them to trace the likely spread of the variants.
The research, published in Nature Communications on Monday, reveals that the virus spread from humans to deer at least 109 times in independent spillover events. Additionally, the virus was transmitted from deer to deer at least 39 times, as reported by the Hill. Furthermore, it has been observed that the virus has jumped back to humans on at least three occasions. In North Carolina, two samples, along with one sample in Massachusetts, indicated that the virus had moved from a human to a deer and then back to humans. To confirm these findings, researchers tracked down the three individuals with the “deer-adapted” mutation, which was also discovered in zoo lions. Surprisingly, all three individuals denied having close contact with deer or the zoo. APHIS continues to investigate the presence of the virus in other species and states. (Read more COVID-19 stories.)
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
