Covid-19 Spreads from Humans to Deer and Back Again, Ohio Study Reveals

Introduction

Preston (UK), Sept 10: A new study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University has revealed that Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is still spreading among white-tailed deer in the US and back to humans. The study also found that the virus is evolving rapidly.

Evidence of Spillover Infections

Scientists previously discovered that 40% of white-tailed deer sampled in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York state had COVID-19 antibodies. The new study conducted in north-eastern Ohio showed that the virus had spread multiple times between humans and deer, leading to spillover infections. The researchers collected 1,522 nasal swabs between November 2021 and March 2022, of which 163 tested positive for alpha and delta variants of COVID-19.

• COVID-19 is still spreading among white-tailed deer in the US.
• The virus is evolving rapidly and has spillover into humans.
• 163 out of 1,522 nasal swabs tested positive for alpha and delta variants of COVID-19.

Virus Mutation in Deer

The researchers in Ohio estimated that the rate of COVID-19 mutation in deer was three times greater than in humans. The mutations in deer appeared to be adaptive responses, potentially increasing viral spread in deer hosts. However, these adaptive responses have not resulted in a virus that can evade human antibodies, and there is currently no public health risk associated with the increased mutation rate.

• COVID-19 mutations in deer are occurring three times faster than in humans.
• These mutations are adaptive responses that increase viral spread in deer.
• No public health risk is linked to the increased mutation rate.

Possibility of New Variants

White-tailed deer could become a new reservoir of COVID-19 viruses. While the spill-back of the virus from deer to humans has not caused new outbreaks, ongoing surveillance is crucial. The observations from Ohio raise the possibility that COVID-19 viruses in deer could develop into new strains or variants capable of spreading significant illness to humans. It is important to continue monitoring the deer populations for any changes in the virus.

Conclusion

Ongoing surveillance and research on COVID-19 in white-tailed deer provide valuable intelligence and help identify potential risks to public health. Although the current mutation rate in deer does not pose a threat, it is essential to stay vigilant and proactive in understanding the interplay between humans and wildlife in the context of the pandemic.

By: The Conversation