“Considerable Risk” of Human-to-Wildlife Transmission of the COVID-19 Virus

Human-to-Wildlife Transmission COVID-19 Virus

There’s considerable risk that humans transmit SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to wildlife, according to a perspective article published in Mammal Review. Credit: Sophie Gryseels

There’s considerable risk that humans transmit SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to wildlife, according to a perspective article published in Mammal Review.

The authors noted that if SARS-CoV-2 were to infect and spread among wild mammals, it could potentially cause disease in some populations, in turn further endangering already threatened species.

“We really should avoid turning our pandemic into a multi-species problem.” — Sophie Gryseels, PhD, lead author

Also, if SARS-CoV-2 could be sustainably transmitted among some mammalian populations or communities, this would create new animal reservoirs that could repeatedly source new outbreaks in humans and other animals.

The researchers urge people to take sanitary precautions when in direct or indirect contact with wild or feral mammal species to prevent human-to-wildlife SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

“We really should avoid turning our pandemic into a multi-species problem,” said lead author Sophie Gryseels, PhD, of the University of Antwerp, KU Leuven, and the University of Arizona.”It’s difficult enough to control the SARS-CoV-2 in human populations–imagine what it will be like if it spreads among wild mammals. They could also get sick and form a reservoir from which they can then again infect humans, but we can’t ask animals to wear face masks and keep physical distance.”

Reference: “Risk of human‐to‐wildlife transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2” by Sophie Gryseels, Luc De Bruyn, Ralf Gyselings, Sébastien Calvignac‐Spencer, Fabian H. Leendertz and Herwig Leirs, 6 October 2020, Mammal Review.
DOI: 10.1111/mam.12225

2 Comments on "“Considerable Risk” of Human-to-Wildlife Transmission of the COVID-19 Virus"

  1. Fairey tales all! I pronounce that anyone associated to any organization mentioned in this article to be directly associated to the CCP-Virus.In its manufacturing, spreading of & covering up not only its release but also the suppressing of the multiple cures for this CCP-VIRUS.

  2. REBEL’S DAILY REPORTS
    YIKES! There is an article in Science Daily about human to animal transmission of the coronavirus. You humans better watch out! Viruses are masterful molecules that can grow on host be the host animal or human. All it needs is moisture and another molecule cell to invade. Some species may not get infected and other species may react badly to the travelling coronavirus that has now landed in their body. As viruses and germs progress through time they adapt in ways to make themselves stronger to survive which makes them ever changing. What you see today in the coronavirus stage of growth may not be what we will be the same stage of growth and defences that the coronavirus will have in the future. An animal transmission of coronavirus to a human and then the human transmit the virus into a different species than what species had given the human the coronavirus and that species then transmit it back to humans then question we need to address immediately is what will happen if this were to happen because viruses can improve as they progress through species. What vaccines may work now may not work against future changed coronavirus molecules. Am I right, doc? Hello, Is anybody listening?

Leave a comment

Email address is optional. If provided, your email will not be published or shared.