Scientists estimate that more than six of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals <Link>.
In a recent Worms and Germs blog, Scott Weese, DVM, shares details and speculation about SARS-CoV-2 infections in the highly susceptible deer population. The discussion of viral spillover and the possibility of variant strains developing in an animal population and then transferred to humans is worthy of review.
The “other animals” component is often neglected, but it’s important. If deer are a reservoir, they could spread it to other potential reservoir species, amplifying the problem.
Source: Worms and Germs Blog, February 28, 2022. Link. We have to be a bit careful when looking at sequence databases because we can only compare “new” strains with sequences that have been deposited. That doesn’t mean these strains don’t exist anywhere else, it just means they haven’t been reported from anywhere else.
Cats are highly susceptible and indoor-outdoor cats have abundant contact with wildlife, including deer, so they could plausibly be a bridge from wildlife reservoirs to people.
INSIGHTS: Providing thoughtful updates on SARS-CoV-2 in domestic and wild animal species, Weese and his team have diligently given us clarity and food for thought over the pandemic period. Our AHD team thanks Weese and his colleagues for these updates.