Canadian researchers discover 1st possible case of deer spreading COVID-19 virus to a human – CBC

Animal-to-human transmission is rare, but people in close contact with wild deer should be cautious

Feb 27, 2022

In a world first, preliminary research suggests deer may be able to transmit the COVID-19 virus to humans, following analysis by a team of Canadian scientists monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in animals.

Up until now, researchers have only found evidence of humans spreading the virus to deer, and deer spreading it to other deer.

New evidence suggesting the virus may be able to spill from deer to humans is a significant development, as scientists are closely tracking whether wild animals could become a source of new variants and act as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2.

Still, humans remain the main source of the virus and its spread around the world.

The new research paper posted Friday on bioRxiv, an online archive and distribution service for unpublished preprints in the life sciences, has not been peer reviewed.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/covid19-deer-may-spead-to-humans-1.6366023

NationTalk Partners & Sponsors Learn More