The coronavirus responsible for Covid-19 is already widespread in wildlife, according to US researchers, who also showed that the mutations closely match the variants circulating among humans, supporting the theory of human-to-animal transmission.
Scientists from several US centres, including Virginia Tech, detected the pathogen in five species of wild animals, with exposure rates ranging from 40 to 60 percent. They published the results of their work in the journal Nature Communications.
According to a report by the EFE agency, the greatest exposure to SARS CoV-2 responsible for Covid-19 was found in animals near hiking trails and high-traffic public areas, suggesting that the virus passed from humans to wildlife, according to researchers, who stressed the need for broad surveillance.
The scientists studied animals from 23 common species in the state of Virginia, in the southeastern United States, for both active infections and antibodies indicating previous infections.
They found signs of the virus in mice, deer, opossums, raccoons, woodchucks, eastern white-tailed rabbits and eastern red bats.
The virus isolated from an opossum also showed viral mutations that had not been previously reported and that have the potential to influence how the virus affects humans and their immune response.
“The virus’ goal is to spread in order to survive. The virus aims to infect more humans, but vaccines protect many humans; so it turns to animals, adapting and mutating to thrive in the new hosts,” said researcher Carla Finkielstein, a professor of biological sciences at Virginia Tech and one of the senior authors of the study.
The work significantly expands the number of species examined and the understanding of virus transmission to and between wildlife, and the data suggest that exposure to the virus has been widespread in wildlife and that areas with high human activity may serve as hotspots for cross-species transmission.
The team collected 798 samples from animals trapped alive in the field and released, or being treated in wildlife rehabilitation centers, and 126 blood samples from six species.
The locations were chosen to compare the presence of the virus in animals at sites with different levels of human activity, from urban areas to remote wilderness areas.
Expand surveillance
The study also identified two mice at the same site on the same day with exactly the same variant, indicating that they either contracted it from the same human or one infected the other.
Researchers are unsure of the routes of transmission from humans to animals, and although they have suggested sewage as a possibility, they are leaning toward garbage containers and discarded food as the most likely sources of infection.
Although the study focused on the state of Virginia, many of the species that tested positive are common wildlife found throughout North America, so it is likely that they are also exposed in other areas, so researchers have stressed the urgent need to expand surveillance.
Researchers say monitoring of these mutations should continue and not be ruled out, and they stressed the importance of furthering our understanding of how the virus is transmitted from humans to wildlife, how it might spread within a species and perhaps from one species to another.
The study concludes that SARS CoV-2 is not just a human problem and that a multidisciplinary team is needed to effectively address its impact on various species and ecosystems.
#Coronavirus #detected #wild #animals
2024-09-18 23:39:47
Table of Contents
Coronavirus Found in Wildlife: New Study Reveals Widespread Transmission and Mutation
As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, a groundbreaking study by US researchers has revealed that the coronavirus responsible for the disease is already widespread in wildlife. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that the virus has been transmitted from humans to animals, with mutations closely matching the variants circulating among humans.
Widespread Exposure in Wildlife
The research team, comprising scientists from Virginia Tech and other US centers, detected the SARS-CoV-2 virus in five species of wild animals, with exposure rates ranging from 40 to 60 percent. The study analyzed samples from 23 common species in the state of Virginia, including mice, deer, opossums, raccoons, woodchucks, eastern white-tailed rabbits, and eastern red bats.
The highest exposure rates were found in animals near hiking trails and high-traffic public areas, suggesting that the virus was transmitted from humans to wildlife. The researchers emphasized the need for broad surveillance to monitor the spread of the virus in wildlife populations.
Mutation and Adaptation
One of the most significant findings of the study was the identification of viral mutations in an opossum sample, which had not been previously reported. These mutations have the potential to influence how the virus affects humans and their immune response. According to researcher Carla Finkielstein, “The virus’ goal is to spread in order to survive. The virus aims to infect more humans, but vaccines protect many humans; so it turns to animals, adapting and mutating to thrive in the new hosts.”
Understanding Transmission and Hotspots
The study significantly expands our understanding of virus transmission to and between wildlife, and suggests that areas with high human activity may serve as hotspots for cross-species transmission. The researchers collected 798 samples from animals trapped alive in the field and released, or being treated in wildlife rehabilitation centers, and 126 blood samples from six species.
The locations were chosen to compare the presence of the virus in animals at sites with different levels of human activity, from urban areas to remote wilderness areas. The study’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of the ecology and evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Surveillance and Prevention
The study’s authors stress the need for expanded surveillance to monitor the spread of the virus in wildlife populations, particularly in areas with high human activity. The researchers are unsure of the exact routes of transmission from humans to animals, but suggest that garbage containers and discarded food may be the most likely sources of infection.
As the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, this study highlights the importance of considering the role of wildlife in the transmission and evolution of the virus. By expanding our understanding of the virus’s ecology and evolution, we can develop more effective strategies for prevention and control.
Key Takeaways
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is widespread in wildlife, with exposure rates ranging from 40 to 60 percent in five species of wild animals.
The highest exposure rates were found in animals near hiking trails and high-traffic public areas, suggesting human-to-animal transmission.
Viral mutations were identified in an opossum sample, which have the potential to influence how the virus affects humans and their immune response.
Areas with high human activity may serve as hotspots for cross-species transmission.
* Expanded surveillance is necessary to monitor the spread of the virus in wildlife populations.
By understanding the complex relationships between humans, animals, and the environment, we can work towards a more comprehensive approach to preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19.
SEO Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, wildlife, transmission, mutation, ecology, evolution, prevention, control, surveillance.
Widespread Transmission of Coronavirus in Wildlife: What it Means for Human Health and COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a devastating toll on human lives globally, but a recent study by US researchers has revealed that the coronavirus is not exclusive to humans. The virus has been detected in five species of wild animals, with exposure rates ranging from 40 to 60 percent. This raises concerns about the potential for human-to-animal transmission and the impact on wildlife populations.
The Study:
Scientists from Virginia Tech and other US centers conducted a comprehensive study, published in Nature Communications, which involved testing 798 animal samples and 126 blood samples from six species. The samples were collected from animals trapped alive in the field and released, or being treated in wildlife rehabilitation centers. The study areas were chosen to compare the presence of the virus in animals at sites with different levels of human activity, from urban areas to remote wilderness areas.
The Findings:
The study detected the SARS CoV-2 virus in mice, deer, opossums, raccoons, woodchucks, eastern white-tailed rabbits, and eastern red bats. The virus isolated from an opossum showed viral mutations that had not been previously reported, which could influence how the virus affects humans and their immune response. The researchers also found that the greatest exposure to the virus was in animals near hiking trails and high-traffic public areas, suggesting that the virus passed from humans to wildlife.
Implications for Human Health and COVID-19 Pandemic:
The widespread transmission of coronavirus in wildlife has significant implications for human health and the COVID-19 pandemic. If the virus can transmit from humans to animals, it can also transmit from animals to humans, potentially leading to new outbreaks and mutations. This highlights the need for broad surveillance and monitoring of the virus in both human and animal populations.
The Risk of Cross-Species Transmission:
The study identified two mice at the same site on the same day with exactly the same variant, indicating that they either contracted it from the same human or one infected the other. This raises concerns about the risk of cross-species transmission, which could lead to new outbreaks and mutations. The researchers are unsure of the routes of transmission from humans to animals, but they suspect that garbage containers and discarded food may be the most likely sources of infection.
The Need for Expanded Surveillance:
The study’s findings emphasize the urgent need for expanded surveillance of the virus in both human and animal populations. Monitoring of mutations should continue, and researchers should investigate how the virus is transmitted from humans to wildlife, how it spreads within a species, and perhaps from one species to another.
A Multidisciplinary Approach:
The study concludes that SARS CoV-2 is not just a human problem and that a multidisciplinary team is needed to effectively address its impact on various species and ecosystems. This requires collaboration between experts in human health, animal health, ecology, and environmental science.
Conclusion:
The widespread transmission of coronavirus in wildlife is a wake-up call for humanity. It highlights the need for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, including surveillance, monitoring, and research on the virus in both human and animal populations. By working together, we can better understand the virus, mitigate its impact, and protect both human and animal health.
Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, wildlife, human-to-animal transmission, cross-species transmission, surveillance, multidisciplinary approach, human health, animal health, ecology, environmental science.
