Description
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. SARS-CoV-2 is in the genus Betacoronavirus, which includes various types of coronaviruses. These coronaviruses have an outer layer called an envelope and a crown or spike of proteins that surround the envelope. They are capable of infecting numerous mammal species such as humans, bats, cats, dogs, mink, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. Coronavirus infections are common in humans and animals and have the potential to be passed among humans and animals. Current data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 originated from an animal source, but research is ongoing to determine how it came to infect humans.
Transmission
SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted when a non-infected individual encounters an infected individual. Virus is shed in bodily secretions such as mucus and saliva. Ingestion or inhalation of the virus from these secretions can lead to infection.
Clinical Signs
The clinical spectrum of illness in animals is still being investigated. Some animals that are infected may show signs of illness, while others may not. Possible signs of infection include fever, coughing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, lethargy, sneezing, discharge from nose or eyes, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Wildlife Management Implications
A wide range of wildlife species have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. There is no indication that these infections have a significant impact on wildlife health or populations; however, research is ongoing. More about detections in wild animals can be found on the USDA’s website, https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sars-cov-2
SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance in White-Tailed Deer
The Indiana DNR has actively been participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infection and exposure in white-tailed deer for the past two years.
Nasal swabs and blood samples from hunter-harvested deer to screen for SARS-CoV-2. During the 2022-2023 surveillance year, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 65 of the 315 deer sampled. These positive blood samples indicated exposure to the virus, but not active infection. In the 2023-2024 surveillance year, positive nasal swabs indicated active infection of SARS-CoV-2 in Indiana’s deer herd.
It is currently unknown how deer were exposed to SARS-CoV-2. It is possible they were exposed through people, the environment, other deer, or another animal species.
Human Health Significance
In humans, COVID-19 causes respiratory symptoms that resemble the common cold, the flu, or pneumonia. The virus is very contagious and spreads quickly, having caused over one million deaths in the United States. Learn more about COVID-19 in humans by visiting the CDC COVID-19 webpage at Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC.
There is no evidence that people can get COVID-19 by preparing or eating meat from an animal infected with SARS-CoV-2, including wild game meat hunted in the United States.
If you have concerns regarding COVID-19, contact your health care provider.