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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.02.28.530444

SARS-CoV-2 surveillance between 2020 and 2021 of all mammalian species in two Flemish zoos (Antwerp Zoo and Planckendael Zoo)

Joffrin, L.·Cooreman, T.·Verheyen, E.·Vercammen, F.·Marien, J.·Leirs, H.·Gryseels, S.
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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of human infections and deaths worldwide. Several other mammal species are also susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, and multiple instances of transmission from humans to pets, farmed mink, wildlife and zoo animals have been recorded. We conducted a systematic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in all mammal species in two zoos in Belgium between September and December 2020 and July 2021 in four sessions, and a targeted surveillance of selected mammal enclosures following SARS-CoV-2 infection in hippos in December 2021. A total of 1523 faecal samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 via real-time PCR. None of the samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Additional surrogate virus neutralization tests conducted on 50 routinely collected serum samples during the same period were all negative. This study is a first to our knowledge to conduct active SARS-CoV-2 surveillance for several months in all mammal species of a zoo. We conclude that at the time of our investigation, none of the screened animals were excreting SARS-CoV-2.

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Joffrin, L., Cooreman, T., Verheyen, E., Vercammen, F., Marien, J., Leirs, H., Gryseels, S.. 2023-02-28. SARS-CoV-2 surveillance between 2020 and 2021 of all mammalian species in two Flemish zoos (Antwerp Zoo and Planckendael Zoo). https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02.28.530444

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