Serological Evidence That SARS-CoV-2 Has Not Emerged in Deer in Germany or Austria during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Andrés Moreira‐Soto, Chris Walzer, Gábor Á. Czirják, Martin Richter, Stephen F. Marino, Annika Posautz, Pau De Yebra Rodo, Gayle K. McEwen, Jan Felix Drexler, Alex D. Greenwood
Abstract
Spillover of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to North American white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has been documented. However, it is unclear if this is a phenomenon specific to North American deer or is a broader problem. We evaluated pre and pandemic exposure of German and Austrian deer species using a SARS-CoV-2 pseudoneutralization assay. In stark contrast to North American white-tailed deer, we found no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure.
Topics & Concepts
OdocoileusPandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)VirologyCoronavirus2019-20 coronavirus outbreakBetacoronavirusCoronavirus InfectionsMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirusBiologyMedicineZoologyOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)PathologyDiseaseSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesSARS-CoV-2 detection and testing