With the outbreak of coronavirus worldwide, the health of not only humans but also animals is at stake. In many places, there are reports of diseases and deaths among pets and zoos. However, reports from the United States indicate that the spread of the disease in animals is on the rise. The corona virus has been found in white-tailed deer in the United States.
Hundreds of deer have been found infected in Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio. In December 2020, tests on white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania found that more than 80 percent were infected with Kovid. In Michigan, 67 percent of those tested were infected. Thousands of deer are thought to be infected. Experts warn that if the condition is not brought under control soon, the disease might spread to more than 30 million animals.
But no clear conclusions have yet been reached regarding how the disease spread to wildlife. However, it has been suggested that deer may have contracted the disease by drinking contaminated water, including human excreta. With the spread of the disease in deer, the reassurance that wildlife is safe is a testament to the fact that previously diagnosed animals have been in direct contact with humans.
However, not a single case of deer-to-human transmission has been reported so far. In experiments on deer, the researchers identified three variants of Sarskov 2. Researchers also say that cats need to be included in any precautionary measures once morest the virus.
The U.S. Department of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service conducted a more detailed study in July 2021 to gain some clarity on the results of the study conducted in December 2020 and January 2021. Antibodies were found to be present in 33% of the total samples collected from white-tailed deer. However, in Michigan alone, 60% of deer have been diagnosed with the disease. Experts share the concern that the spread of the disease among wildlife might lead to the transmission of Kovid to humans in the future as well.
