Experimental SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Elk and Mule Deer

Abstract

To assess the susceptibility of elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) to SARS-CoV-2, we performed experimental infections in both species. Elk did not shed infectious virus but mounted low-level serologic responses. Mule deer shed and transmitted virus and mounted pronounced serologic responses and thus could play a role in SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology.

Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; Cervus canadensis; Delta variant; Odocoileus hemionus; SARS-CoV-2; cervid; coronavirus; coronavirus disease viruses; elk; mule deer; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; wildlife; zoonoses.

Figure 1

Oropharyngeal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 by experimentally infected mule deer as detected by plaque assay. Mule deer 2 was euthanized 3 days after infection. Mule deer 2, 4, and 5 were directly inoculated, and mule deer 6 was a contact animal.

Figure 2

Nasal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 by experimentally infected mule deer as detected by plaque assay. Mule deer 2 and 3 were euthanized 3 days after infection. Mule deer 2, 4, and 5 were directly inoculated, and mule deer 3 and 6 were contact animals.