Coronavirus Antibodies Detected in Wild White-Tailed Deer in Several U.S. States
by Elizabeth Gamillo/Smithsonianmag.com
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are abundant in the United States; they can be seen bounding around rural and urban areas in every state except for Alaska. A new survey carried out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) detected antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 in wild deer populations in four states. Meaning that the deer contracted coronavirus in the wild and fought off the infection, reports Dina Fine Maron for National Geographic.
The results are the first to look at widespread exposures of SARS-CoV-2 in wild animals and were published on the preprint server bioRxiv in July. The findings have not yet been officially peer-reviewed.
Previous studies have shown that white-tailed deer are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infections and can spread the virus to other deer in laboratory settings, reports Nature’s Smriti Mallapaty. Until now, it was unknown if infections between deer in the wild were occurring. Mink are the only animals to have contracted the virus in the wild, National Geographic reports. However, cats, dogs, otters, lions, snow leopard, gorillas and tigers have all tested positive for the virus in captivity.
Carol graduated from Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio and received her diploma as a registered nurse. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Literature. She attended the University of Toledo, College of Nursing, and received a Master’s of Nursing Science Degree as an Educator.
She has traveled extensively, is a photographer, and writes on medical issues. Carol has three children RJ, Katherine, and Stephen – one daughter-in-law; Katie – two granddaughters; Isabella Marianna and Zoe Olivia – and one grandson, Alexander Paul. She also shares her life with her husband Gordon Duff, many cats, and two rescues.
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Must be a pretty common bug, and not very dangerous except to the near infirm.
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