Peridomestic Mammal Susceptibility to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection

Abstract

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; United States; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; cottontail rabbit; deer mouse; experimental infection; house mouse; infections; mesocarnivore; peridomestic; raccoon; respiratory infections; rodent; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; squirrel; striped skunk; viruses; wildlife; woodrat; zoonoses.

Figure

Oropharyngeal shedding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in deer mice (A), bushy-tailed woodrats (B), and striped skunks (C) and nasal shedding in striped skunks (D). LOD = 1 log₁₀ PFU. LOD, limit of detection.