A recent study serves as a poignant reminder that the virus responsible for COVID-19 continues to propagate, with 9 out of 47 animals testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at a zoo in Brazil.
It is probable that these animals contracted the virus through interactions with humans.
“Zoos present a distinctive context concerning the epidemiology of human-animal interactions,” the research team, led by scholars from the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil, elucidates in their publication.
“These establishments house diverse species of wildlife from varied taxonomic categories in close quarters, leading to frequent interactions between animals and humans, especially among caregivers.”
The testing for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted at the Belo Horizonte Zoo from November 2021 to March 2023, during which researchers successfully sequenced three viral genomes from the nine infected animals.
A maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and a fallow deer (Dama dama) were identified as carriers of the notorious Alpha variant, while a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) harbored the Omicron strain.
The SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in these animals exhibited close genetic similarity to samples obtained from humans in the same geographic locale.
“The close proximity between zoo animals and their caretakers likely constitutes a significant pathway for infection,” the authors observe.
This was particularly relevant for infections documented between November 2021 and January 2022; however, a resurgence of infections occurred following the zoo’s reopening in February 2022, likely due to increased interactions between the public and animal keepers, ultimately affecting the animals.
Notably, a map of the zoo indicates that the species that tested positive were relatively close to one another within the overall layout.
Among the infected animals at the zoo were three western lowland gorillas, two maned wolves, a pampas cat (Leopardus braccatus), a brown brocket deer (Subulo gouazoubira), a red deer (Cervus elaphus), and one fallow deer.
Since the initial identification of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019, researchers have expressed significant concern regarding its capacity to traverse species barriers, particularly from humans to previously unexposed animal species.
This phenomenon not only poses threats to newly infected species but also presents opportunities for the virus to establish natural reservoirs, potentially resulting in future outbreaks.
Effective disease management within zoo populations is crucial, given their interactions with humans and the close confines with other animals, as well as their roles in vital conservation initiatives aimed at preserving their species.
For instance, western lowland gorillas are critically endangered, and records from the World Organization for Animal Health indicate their heightened susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Timely identification of infections in zoo animals could furnish researchers with insights to mitigate the spread and evolution of the virus, thereby averting potential decimation of wild populations.
“The discovery of various variants highlights ongoing viral evolution and adaptation in new hosts,” the authors write.
“These findings emphasize the necessity for integrated public health strategies that encompass wildlife monitoring to alleviate the risks associated with emerging infectious diseases.”
This research was published in Virology Journal.
Vocabulary List:
- Epidemiology /ˌep.ɪˌdiː.miˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ (noun): The branch of medicine that deals with the incidence distribution and control of diseases.
- Propagation /ˌprɒp.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən/ (noun): The act of spreading or promoting an idea or a disease.
- Reservoirs /ˈrɛz.ər.vwɑːr/ (noun): Natural or artificial lakes where water is stored or in a biological context hosts that can harbor pathogens.
- Susceptibility /səˌsep.təˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ (noun): The state of being likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
- Identification /aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ (noun): The action or process of identifying someone or something.
- Resurgence /rɪˈsɜː.dʒəns/ (noun): An increase or revival after a period of little activity or occurrence.
How much do you know?
Where was the recent study conducted on animals testing positive for SARS-CoV-2?
Which animals were carriers of the Alpha variant in the study?
What did researchers successfully sequence from the infected animals?
What is emphasized as a significant pathway for infection by the authors?
Which of the following is a possible reason for a resurgence of infections post-zoo reopening?
Which organization indicates the heightened susceptibility of western lowland gorillas to SARS-CoV-2 infections?
Zoos are mentioned to have limited interactions between animals and humans.
The researchers identified the Delta variant in the infected animals.
Timely identification of infections in zoo animals could help mitigate the spread of the virus.
The study was conducted at the Singapore Zoo.
The Alpha variant was harbored by a maned wolf and a red deer.
The SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in animals had no genetic similarity to samples from humans.
The testing for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted at the Belo Horizonte Zoo from November 2021 to March .
Effective disease management within zoo populations is crucial given their interactions with .
The discovery of various variants highlights ongoing viral evolution and adaptation in new .
The animals that tested positive were relatively close to one another within the zoo's overall .
Zoos house diverse species of wildlife from varied taxonomic categories in quarters.
The zoo animals' caretakers likely constitute a significant pathway for .