Deer in Ohio infected with SARS-CoV-2

The eSCOUT (Environmental Surveillance for COVID-19 in Ohio: Understanding Transmission) team in collaboration with the NVSL/USDA and NIH found SARS-CoV-2 in 35.8% of deer tested in Northeast Ohio. Sequencing indicates multiple human to deer spillover events (B.1.2, B.1.596, B.1.582) and suggests deer to deer transmission. This raises concerns about deer as a potential reservoir for SARS-CoV-2. For preprint, click here.