Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a Zoo-Kept Red Fox (<i>Vulpes vulpes</i>)
Tatjana Chan,
Julia Ginders,
Evelyn Kuhlmeier,
Marina L. Meli,
Eva Bönzli,
Theres Meili,
Julia Hüttl,
Jean-Michel Hatt,
Karin Hindenlang Clerc,
Anja Kipar,
Fabia Wyss,
Christian Wenker,
Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis,
Cecilia Valenzuela Agüí,
Christian Urban,
Christian Beisel,
Tanja Stadler,
Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
Affiliations
Tatjana Chan
Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Julia Ginders
Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Evelyn Kuhlmeier
Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Marina L. Meli
Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Eva Bönzli
Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Theres Meili
Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Julia Hüttl
Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Jean-Michel Hatt
Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Department of Small Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Karin Hindenlang Clerc
Foundation Wildnispark Zurich, Alte Sihltalstrasse 38, 8135 Sihlwald, Switzerland
Anja Kipar
Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 268, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Institute for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
Cecilia Valenzuela Agüí
Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Schanzenstrasse 44, Postfach, 4009 Basel, Switzerland
Christian Urban
Functional Genomics Center, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Christian Beisel
Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Schanzenstrasse 44, Postfach, 4009 Basel, Switzerland
Tanja Stadler
Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Schanzenstrasse 44, Postfach, 4009 Basel, Switzerland
Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
Many different animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, including a few Canidae (domestic dog and raccoon dog). So far, only experimental evidence is available concerning SARS-CoV-2 infections in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). This is the first report of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in a sample from a red fox. The RT-qPCR-positive fox was zoo-kept together with another fox and two bears in the Swiss Canton of Zurich. Combined material from a conjunctival and nasal swab collected for canine distemper virus diagnostics tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA with Ct values of 36.9 (E gene assay) and 35.7 (RdRp gene assay). The sample was analysed for SARS-CoV-2 within a research project testing residual routine diagnostic samples from different animal species submitted between spring 2020 and December 2022 to improve knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 infections within different animal species and investigate their potential role in a One Health context. Within this project, 246 samples from 153 different animals from Swiss zoos and other wild animal species all tested SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR and/or serologically negative so far, except for the reported fox. The source of SARS-CoV-2 in the fox is unknown. The fox disappeared within the naturally structured enclosure, and the cadaver was not found. No further control measures were undertaken.
