COVID-19 Virus Mutating at Alarming Speed
New research has unveiled that white-tailed deer in Ohio have been infected with the COVID-19 virus. Furthermore, this study suggests that the virus undergoes mutations approximately three times faster in deer compared to its mutation rate in humans.
During the period spanning from November 2021 to March 2022, a comprehensive collection of 1,522 nasal swabs was conducted from free-ranging deer across 83 out of Ohio’s 88 counties. Surprisingly, the results indicated that more than 10% of these samples tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Impressively, in 59% of the counties subjected to testing, at least one positive case was identified.
Upon conducting genomic analysis on these samples, it was determined that a minimum of 30 instances of deer infections had been introduced by humans. The research team expressed their astonishment at this relatively frequent cross-species transmission, which is usually considered to be an uncommon occurrence. Dr. Andrew Bowman, a co-senior author of the study and an associate professor of veterinary preventive medicine at The Ohio State University, noted that the virus appears to transition between humans and animals with a notable level of ease. Additionally, there is mounting evidence indicating that humans can contract
the virus from deer.
These cumulative findings point to the possibility that white-tailed deer might function as a reservoir for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This situation could foster a continuous process of mutation. Consequently, concerns are growing about the potential dissemination of the virus to other animals, as well as livestock. The comprehensive study has been published in the esteemed scientific journal, Nature Communications.
In conjunction with the identification of active infections, the research team stumbled upon another intriguing discovery. Through blood samples, they established that roughly 23.5% of Ohio’s deer population had encountered the virus at some point, as revealed by the presence of antibodies.
An in-depth genetic analysis of the 80 whole-genome sequences retrieved from the samples unraveled an interesting insight. The genetic composition of the delta variants identified in deer exhibited a striking resemblance to the dominant lineages prevailing in humans during that particular time frame. This similarity underscores the occurrence of spillover events between these species. The study also illuminated the pattern of transmission from one deer to another, revealing the existence of transmission clusters that encompassed multiple counties.
While acknowledging that timing might have influenced the prevalence of certain variants in deer, the researchers highlighted a crucial observation. Namely, deer variants of the virus appear to evolve at a swifter pace compared to their human counterparts. Notwithstanding this discrepancy, the study emphasized that individuals who have been vaccinated might still enjoy some degree of protection against severe illness in case the virus spills over from deer to humans.
The exact mechanism of transmission from humans to white-tailed deer remains shrouded in mystery. Despite the lack of substantial outbreaks stemming from deer-origin strains, there remains a high likelihood for the virus to circulate among animals. This risk is particularly pronounced for deer, given that around 70% of Ohio’s population of free-ranging deer lacks prior exposure to the virus. This susceptibility raises concerns that the virus could spread uninhibitedly among this segment of the population.
Dr. Andrew Bowman underscored the imperative of maintaining vigilance, particularly if the virus were to adapt to deer and subsequently infiltrate other animal populations, including wildlife or even domesticated animals. The study involved collaboration with co-authors from a variety of institutions, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the University of California, Los Angeles, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and several others.
COVID-19 Virus Mutating – Read More: Accelerated evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in free-ranging white-tailed deer, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40706-y
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