SARS-CoV-2 has not emerged in roe, red or fallow deer in Germany or Austria during the COVID 19 pandemic

Moreira-Soto, A.; Walzer, C.; Czirjak, G. A.; Richter, M.; Marino, S. F.; Posautz, A.; Rodo de Yebra, P.; McEwen, G. K.; Drexler, J. F.; Greenwood, A. D.

doi:10.1101/2022.02.18.480872

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2022.02.18.480872

SARS-CoV-2 has not emerged in roe, red or fallow deer in Germany or Austria during the COVID 19 pandemic

Moreira-Soto, A.·Walzer, C.·Czirjak, G. A.·Richter, M.·Marino, S. F.·Posautz, A.·Rodo de Yebra, P.·McEwen, G. K.·Drexler, J. F.·Greenwood, A. D.

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Abstract

Spillover of SARS-CoV-2 to North American white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has been documented. We evaluated pre and pandemic exposure of German and Austrian deer species using a SARS-CoV-2 pseudoneutralization assay. In stark contrast to North American white tailed deer, we found no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Article Summary LineUsing a sensitive serological assay, 433 pre and pandemic deer samples from Germany and Austria tested negative for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies highlighting a major difference between central European and North American deer exposure and in their epidemiologic roles.

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Moreira-Soto, A., Walzer, C., Czirjak, G. A., Richter, M., Marino, S. F., Posautz, A., Rodo de Yebra, P., McEwen, G. K., Drexler, J. F., Greenwood, A. D.. 2022-02-18. SARS-CoV-2 has not emerged in roe, red or fallow deer in Germany or Austria during the COVID 19 pandemic. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.02.18.480872

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