Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) infection of white-tailed deer.

ABSTRACT: White-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) are highly susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, with multiple reports of widespread spillover of virus from humans to free-living deer. While the recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 Omicron variant of concern (VoC) has been shown to be notably more transmissible amongst humans, its ability to cause infection and spillover to non-human animals remains a challenge of concern. We found that 19 of the 131 (14.5%; 95% CI: 0.10-0.22) white-tailed deer opportunistically sampled on Staten Island, New York, between December 12, 2021, and January 31, 2022, were positive for SARS-CoV-2 specific serum antibodies using a surrogate virus neutralization assay, indicating prior exposure. The results also revealed strong evidence of age-dependence in

SUBMITTER: Vandegrift KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8845426 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature