Experimental SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Elk and Mule Deer

Abstract

To assess the susceptibility of elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) to SARS-CoV-2, we performed experimental infections in both species. Elk did not shed infectious virus but mounted low-level serologic responses. Mule deer shed and transmitted virus and mounted pronounced serologic responses and thus could play a role in SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology.

Keywords

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