SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife Active
As SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, continues to spread globally, questions have emerged about the potential for humans to transmit the virus to North American wildlife, its potential effects on native wildlife populations, and the resultant possibility and consequences of establishing a persistent wildlife reservoir. Recent studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 in escaped or wild mink and white-tailed deer (Chandler et al. 2021, Hale et al. 2021, Ip et al. .2021, Kuchipudi et al. 2021, Shriner et al. 2021), suggesting that more One Health work is warranted.
Resources on SARS-CoV-2 and Wildlife
Wildlife Health Bulletin: SARS-CoV-2 and North American Wildlife
General Guidance for Communicating about SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife
Reducing the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Spreading between People and Wildlife (CDC)
Guidelines for Working with Free-Ranging Wild Mammals in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic (WOAH)
Risks posed by SARS-CoV-2 to North American bats during winter fieldwork (2021)
Successful detection of Delta and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2 by veterinary diagnostic laboratory participants in an interlaboratory comparison exercise
Experimental infection of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) with SARS-CoV-2
Immunogenicity, safety, and anti-viral efficacy of a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate in captive black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) and their susceptibility to viral challenge
Second round of an interlaboratory comparison of SARS-CoV2 molecular detection assays used by 45 veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States
Evaluating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to bats in the context of wildlife research, rehabilitation, and control
An opportunistic survey reveals an unexpected coronavirus diversity hotspot in North America
Interlaboratory comparison of SARS-CoV2 molecular detection assays in use by U.S. veterinary diagnostic laboratories
SARS-CoV-2 exposure in escaped mink, Utah, USA
Experimental challenge of a North American bat species, big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), with SARS-CoV-2
Assessing the risks posed by SARS-CoV-2 in and via North American bats — Decision framing and rapid risk assessment
- Overview
As SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, continues to spread globally, questions have emerged about the potential for humans to transmit the virus to North American wildlife, its potential effects on native wildlife populations, and the resultant possibility and consequences of establishing a persistent wildlife reservoir. Recent studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 in escaped or wild mink and white-tailed deer (Chandler et al. 2021, Hale et al. 2021, Ip et al. .2021, Kuchipudi et al. 2021, Shriner et al. 2021), suggesting that more One Health work is warranted.
Resources on SARS-CoV-2 and Wildlife
Wildlife Health Bulletin: SARS-CoV-2 and North American Wildlife
General Guidance for Communicating about SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife
Reducing the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Spreading between People and Wildlife (CDC)
Guidelines for Working with Free-Ranging Wild Mammals in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic (WOAH)
Risks posed by SARS-CoV-2 to North American bats during winter fieldwork (2021)
- Publications
Successful detection of Delta and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2 by veterinary diagnostic laboratory participants in an interlaboratory comparison exercise
BackgroundThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, veterinary diagnostic laboratories have tested diagnostic samples for SARS-CoV-2 both in animals and over 6 million human samples. An evaluation of the performance of those laboratories is needed using blinded test samples to ensure that laboratories report reliable data to the public. This interlaboratory comparison exercise (ILC3) builds on 2 prior exeAuthorsKaiping Deng, Sarah M. Nemser, Kirstin Frost, Laura B. Goodman, Hon S. Ip, Mary Lea Killian, Jodie Ulaszek, Shannon Kiener, Matthew Kmet, Steffen Uhlig, Karina Hettwer, Bertrand Colson, Kapil Nichani, Anja Schlierf, Andriy Tkachenko, Megan R. Miller, Ravinder Reddy, Gregory H. TysonExperimental infection of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) with SARS-CoV-2
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is thought to have originated in wild bats from Asia, and as the resulting pandemic continues into its third year, concerns have been raised that the virus will expand its host range and infect North American wildlife species, including bats. Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) live in large colonies in the southerAuthorsJeffrey S. Hall, Erik K. Hofmeister, Hon S. Ip, Sean Nashold, Ariel Elizabeth Leon, Carly Marie Malave, Elizabeth Falendysz, Tonie E. Rocke, M. Carossino, U. Balasuriya, Susan KnowlesImmunogenicity, safety, and anti-viral efficacy of a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate in captive black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) and their susceptibility to viral challenge
A preliminary vaccination trial against the emergent pathogen, SARS-CoV-2, was completed in captive black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes; BFF) to assess safety, immunogenicity, and anti-viral efficacy. Vaccination and boosting of 15 BFF with purified SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit protein produced a nearly 150-fold increase in mean antibody titers compared to pre-vaccination titers. Serum antibody responAuthorsAriel Elizabeth Leon, Della Garelle, Airn Hartwig, Elizabeth Falendysz, Hon S. Ip, Julia S. Lankton, Tyler Tretten, Terry Spraker, Richard Bowen, Tonie E. RockeSecond round of an interlaboratory comparison of SARS-CoV2 molecular detection assays used by 45 veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States
The COVID-19 pandemic presents a continued public health challenge. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States use RT-rtPCR for animal testing, and many laboratories are certified for testing human samples; hence, ensuring that laboratories have sensitive and specific SARS-CoV2 testing methods is a critical component of the pandemic response. In 2020, the FDA Veterinary Laboratory InvAuthorsKaiping Deng, Steffen Uhlig, Laura B. Goodman, Hon S. Ip, Mary Lea Killiam, Sarah Nemser, Jodie Ulaszek, Shannon Kiener, Matthew Kmet, Kirstin Frost, Karina Hettwer, Bertrand Colson, Kapil Nichani, Anja Schlierf, Andriy Tkachenko, Mothomang Mlalazi Oyinloye, Scott Andrew, Ravinder Reddy, Gregory H. TysonEvaluating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to bats in the context of wildlife research, rehabilitation, and control
Preventing wildlife disease outbreaks is a priority for natural resource agencies, and management decisions can be urgent, especially in epidemic circumstances. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, wildlife agencies were concerned whether the activities they authorize might increase the risk of viral transmission from humans to North American bats, but had a limited amount of time in which to make deAuthorsJonathan D. Cook, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Jeremy T. H. Coleman, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Michael C. RungeAn opportunistic survey reveals an unexpected coronavirus diversity hotspot in North America
In summer 2020, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detected on mink farms in Utah. An interagency One Health response was initiated to assess the extent of the outbreak and included sampling animals from on or near affected mink farms and testing them for SARS-CoV-2 and non-SARS coronaviruses. Among the 365 animals sampled, including domestic cats, mink, rodents, raccAuthorsHon S. Ip, Kathryn M. Griffin, Jeffrey D. Messer, Megan Winzeler, Susan A. Shriner, Mary Lea Killian, Mia K. Torchetti, Thomas J. DeLiberto, Brian R. Amman, Caitlin M. Cossaboom, R. Reid Harvey, Natalie M. Wendling, Hannah Rettler, Dean Taylor, Jonathan S. Towner, Casey Barton Behravesh, David S. BlehertInterlaboratory comparison of SARS-CoV2 molecular detection assays in use by U.S. veterinary diagnostic laboratories
The continued search for intermediate hosts and potential reservoirs for SARS-CoV2 makes it clear that animal surveillance is critical in outbreak response and prevention. Real-time RT-PCR assays for SARS-CoV2 detection can easily be adapted to different host species. U.S. veterinary diagnostic laboratories have used the CDC assays or other national reference laboratory methods to test animal sampAuthorsKaiping Deng, Steffen Uhlig, Hon S. Ip, Mary Lea Killian, Laura Goodman, Sarah Nemser, Jodie Ulaszek, Shannon Pickens, Robert Newkirk, Matthew Kmet, Kirsten Frost, Karina Hettwer, Bertrand Colson, Kapil Nichani, Anja Schlier, Andriy Tkachenko, Ravinder Reddy, Renate ReimshuesselSARS-CoV-2 exposure in escaped mink, Utah, USA
In August 2020, outbreaks of coronavirus disease were confirmed on mink farms in Utah, USA. We surveyed mammals captured on and around farms for evidence of infection or exposure. Free-ranging mink, presumed domestic escapees, exhibited high antibody titers, suggesting a potential severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission pathway to native wildlife.AuthorsSusan A. Shriner, Jeremeny E. Ellis, J. Jeffrey Root, Annette Roug, Scott R. Stopak, Gerald W. Wiscomb, Jared R. Zierenberg, Hon S. Ip, Mia K. Torchetti, Thomas J. DeLibertoExperimental challenge of a North American bat species, big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), with SARS-CoV-2
The recently emerged novel coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2, is phylogenetically related to bat coronaviruses (CoVs), specifically SARS‐related CoVs from the Eurasian bat family Rhinolophidae. As this human pandemic virus has spread across the world, the potential impacts of SARS‐CoV‐2 on native North American bat populations are unknown, as is the ability of North American bats to serve as reservoirs or iAuthorsJeffrey S. Hall, Susan Knowles, Sean Nashold, Hon S. Ip, Ariel Elizabeth Leon, Tonie E. Rocke, Saskia Annatina Keller, Mariano Carossino, Udeni B.R. Balasuriya, Erik K. HofmeisterAssessing the risks posed by SARS-CoV-2 in and via North American bats — Decision framing and rapid risk assessment
The novel β-coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, may pose a threat to North American bat populations if bats are exposed to the virus through interaction with humans, if the virus can subsequently infect bats and be transmitted among them, and if the virus causes morbidity or mortality in bats. Further, if SARS-CoV-2 became established in bat populations, it could possibly serve as a source for new infectionAuthorsMichael C. Runge, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Jeremy T. H. Coleman, Jonathan D. Reichard, Samantha E. J. Gibbs, Paul M. Cryan, Kevin J. Olival, Daniel P. Walsh, David S. Blehert, M. Camille Hopkins, Jonathan M. Sleeman - News