Wild animals have been implicated as the origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but it is largely unknown how the virus affects most wildlife species and if wildlife could ultimately serve as a reservoir for maintaining the virus outside the human population. We show that several common peridomestic species, including deer mice, bushy-tailed woodrats, and striped skunks, are susceptible to infection and can shed the virus in respiratory secretions. In contrast, we demonstrate that cottontail rabbits, fox squirrels, Wyoming ground squirrels, black-tailed prairie dogs, house mice, and racoons are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results expand the knowledge base of susceptible species and provide evidence that human–wildlife interactions could result in continued transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
CITATION STYLE
Bosco-Lauth, A. M., Root, J. J., Porter, S. M., Walker, A. E., Guilbert, L., Hawvermale, D., … Bowen, R. A. (2021). Peridomestic mammal susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 infection. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 27(8), 2073–2080. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2708.210180
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