Mice can be infected with SARS-CoV-2, according to new research. Worse, rats in New York City’s sewer system may be carrying the virus that causes COVID-19.
The study is one of the first to show that both laboratory and wild mice can be infected by the coronavirus, offering humans a second way of transmission from animals.
The study’s principal investigator and director and professor of the University of Missouri Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Dr. “Our findings highlight the need for increased monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in mouse populations for potential secondary zoonotic transmission to humans,” Henry Wan said in a statement. It is important that we continue to increase our understanding so that we can protect both animal health and animal health.”
Animals were closely followed during the COVID-19 outbreak as they could be potential carriers of the disease. Zoonotic diseases can often spread rapidly through animal carriers, so animals in high contact with humans, such as dogs, cats, and livestock, were monitored for signs of infection. It was shown that many animals could get the disease by examining scientists for fear that it might increase the spread, but mice were hardly taken into account.
Within New York City, there are an estimated 8 million wild rats roaming the streets and extensive sewer system. While previous studies have shown that mice are exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and are more likely to interact with humans and spread the disease, the University of Missouri researchers said whether this applies to the most common variants, whether mice can be infected from these variants, and how humans can spread the virus in NYC. tried to examine more deeply whether it spreads to mouse populations.
The researchers took 79 mice from sewage populations and tested them for COVID-19 and looked for which variants, if any, were present. Of the 79 samples, 13 tested positive, and some carried variants from the early outbreak. Another experiment showed that mice can be infected with Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of the virus, which causes respiratory infections just like humans do.
The researchers believe these results are among the first evidence to suggest that these variants can infect wild mice, which they already have, and that this could pose a threat in the future.
Dr. “Our findings highlight the need for further monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in mouse populations to determine whether the virus is circulating in animals and evolving into new strains that may pose a risk to humans,” said Wan. It presents a typical single health issue that requires collaborative, multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary approaches to fully understand.”
The study was published in the journal mBio.
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