Category: Animals
Canada: Two lions test positive for SARS-CoV-2 at Calgary Zoo
Two female lions have tested positive for Covid in Calgary Zoo, Canada, with other animals in the zoo also displaying symptoms. More...
Recombination potential between SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV
A June 2021 preprint looking at the potential for a MERS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 recombination event is receiving a lot of social media attention today following rumours of MERS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 infections at the World Cup in Qatar. More...
Recombinant SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 variant found in Chinese bats
A new preprint out today has been looking at viruses in Chinese bats and has turned up some surprises – it looks like a recombinant variant of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 has been found! More...
Preprint: Neutralizing antibodies in deer for at least 13 months for 90% of animals
Another preprint out recently outlines the disturbing prospect of a large SARS-CoV-2 viral reservoir developing in white-tailed deer in the US. More...
Canada: First evidence of deer-to-human transmission
A recent report from Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, Canada, gives details of a highly mutated strain of SARS-CoV-2, and evidence of deer-to-human transmission. More...
Preprint: Widespread wildlife exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the Eastern United States
Species that tested PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 included bobcats, opossums, squirrels, foxes, deer and rabbits. More...
Chimeric SARS-CoV-2 variant with a mortality rate of 80% *5 Updates*
Boston University scientists undertake a gain of function experiment and create a chimeric recombinant SARS-CoV-2 virus with 80% mortality rate in mice. More...
Switzerland: Red foxes infected with SARS-CoV-2
A recent communication from a Swiss lab gives details of SARS-CoV-2 infections in at least two foxes in the Zurich area of Switzerland. More...
Preprint: Russian Khosta-2 bat virus resistant to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines
“We found that the spike from virus, Khosta-2, could infect cells similar to human pathogens using the same entry mechanisms, but was resistant to neutralization by serum from individuals who had been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2.” More...
Preprint: White-tailed deer still harbouring Alpha, Gamma and Delta variants in New York
Nine lineages including three major variants of concern; Alpha, Gamma and Delta, were detected in White-tailed deer samples in New York. More...