High Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) at One of Three Captive Cervid Facilities in Texas
Christopher M. Roundy, Chase M. Nunez, Logan F. Thomas, Lisa D. Auckland, Wendy Tang, Jack J. Richison, Breanna R. Green, Clayton D. Hilton, Michael J. Cherry, Alex Pauvolid‐Corrêa, Gabriel L. Hamer, Walter E. Cook, Sarah A. Hamer
Abstract
As SARS-CoV-2 vaccine coverage of the human population increases and variants of concern continue to emerge, identification of the epidemiologic importance of animal virus reservoirs is critical. We found that nearly all (94.4%) of the captive white-tailed deer at a cervid facility in central Texas had neutralizing antibodies for SARS-CoV-2. This seroprevalence is over double than that which has been reported from free-ranging deer from other regions of the United States. Horizontal transmission among deer may be facilitated in confinement. Tracking new infections among wild and confined deer is critical for understanding the importance of animal reservoirs for both veterinary and human health.