Development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to support black-footed ferret conservation Active
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is known to infect and cause severe disease, such as respiratory distress and death, in mustelids, including farm-raised mink (Mustela lutreola and Neovison vison) and domestic ferrets (M. putorius). This raised concern that the virus may also pose a threat to endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) managed in captivity for breeding and recovery purposes.
Although to date no evidence of exposure in captive or wild black-footed ferrets has been observed, detection of SARS-CoV-2 in zoo animals and documented cases of transmission from farm workers to morbidity from SARS-CoV-2 in farm-raised mink demonstrate the risk of human to animal viral transmission in captive settings. In addition to enhanced use of personal protective equipment by caretakers and other procedures to reduce risk of transmission to black-footed ferrets, a small study was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) to assess whether immunization of black-footed ferrets using commercially available viral proteins could elicit a protective immune response against the virus. Vaccinated animals had higher antibody titers, including virus neutralizing antibodies, compared to unvaccinated animals. It is still unknown whether vaccination is protective against the disease or reduces its effects; nevertheless, due to the importance of this captive population, approximately 2/3 of the black-footed ferrets at USFWS National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center were vaccinated as a precautionary measure.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Vaccines
- Overview
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is known to infect and cause severe disease, such as respiratory distress and death, in mustelids, including farm-raised mink (Mustela lutreola and Neovison vison) and domestic ferrets (M. putorius). This raised concern that the virus may also pose a threat to endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) managed in captivity for breeding and recovery purposes.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsBlack-footed ferret. (Credit: USGS. Public domain.) Although to date no evidence of exposure in captive or wild black-footed ferrets has been observed, detection of SARS-CoV-2 in zoo animals and documented cases of transmission from farm workers to morbidity from SARS-CoV-2 in farm-raised mink demonstrate the risk of human to animal viral transmission in captive settings. In addition to enhanced use of personal protective equipment by caretakers and other procedures to reduce risk of transmission to black-footed ferrets, a small study was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) to assess whether immunization of black-footed ferrets using commercially available viral proteins could elicit a protective immune response against the virus. Vaccinated animals had higher antibody titers, including virus neutralizing antibodies, compared to unvaccinated animals. It is still unknown whether vaccination is protective against the disease or reduces its effects; nevertheless, due to the importance of this captive population, approximately 2/3 of the black-footed ferrets at USFWS National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center were vaccinated as a precautionary measure.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Vaccines
The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) works on developing various disease management tools, including the development of vaccines. Our current work focuses on vaccines for sylvatic plague, white-nose syndrome, and rabies as disease control strategies.