Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Suggestive of Single Events of Spillover to Cattle, Germany

Abstract

Human infection with SARS-CoV-2 poses a risk for transmission to animals. To characterize the risk for cattle, we serologically investigated 1,000 samples collected from cattle in Germany in late 2021. Eleven antibody-positive samples indicated that cattle may be occasionally infected by contact with SARS-CoV-2–positive keepers, but we found no indication of further spread.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• 2019 novel coronavirus disease
• coronavirus disease
• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• SARS-CoV-2
• viruses