A new study from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus at the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, was “transmitted from humans to deer, mutated, and potentially transmitted back to humans.”
The data comes from the first year of a national research project on white-tailed deer. A USDA news release makes clear there is no current evidence that shows animals played a “significant role” in spreading COVID-19 to humans.
“APHIS’ work to answer critical animal and public health questions around SARS-CoV-2 is continued with this research,” said Mike Watson, APHIS’ acting administrator. “However, additional research using a One Health approach is needed to understand what the risks are to wildlife conservation and public health with continued circulation of this disease in wildlife.”
APHIS has expanded the sample of white-tailed deer for the study's second year, which is currently ongoing. For the first round of research, more than 11,000 deer were sampled. Some 12.2% were positive for SARS-CoV-2, while 31.6% had COVID-19 antibodies, suggesting a previous infection.
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The University of Missouri and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention partnered with APHIS on a study showing COVID-19 was transmitted from humans to white-tailed deer at least 106 times. Three instances were found of the virus being mutated and transmitted back to humans.
“Deer regularly interact with humans and are commonly found in human environments — near our homes, pets, wastewater, and trash,” said Xiu-Feng Wan, a University of Missouri professor. “The potential for SARS-CoV-2, or any zoonotic disease, to persist and evolve in wildlife populations can pose unique public health risks.”
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