SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in cervids in the United States and US territories

S Sarah N. Bevins R Richard B. Chipman S Scott F. Beckerman D David L. Bergman D Derek T. Collins T Thomas J. Deliberto J Joshua P. Eckery J Jeremy W. Ellis A Allen L. Gosser J Jonathon D. Heale J Jason M. Klemm H Hannah Cluett K Kali Ward K Kristina Lantz T Timothy J. Linder M Mitch Oswald R Robert Pleszewski C Christopher A. Quintanal J Jourdan M. Ringenberg S Sean P. Streich K Kelsey R. Weir A Aaron T. Phillips B Bledar Bisha M Mia K. Torchetti J Julianna B. Lenoch J Jeffrey C. Chandler S Susan A. Shriner

Abstract

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 was found in multiple cervid species throughout the United States from October 2021 through October 2023 and results reinforce findings of considerable viral spillover from people to cervids. Data demonstrate changes in viral and neutralizing antibody prevalence over time and as well as viral variants that differed from what was circulating in human populations. Continued monitoring can help pinpoint what is driving changes in prevalence and how those changes alter risk to both wildlife and human populations.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 16, Issue 1
Published January 15, 2026
ISSN 2045-2322
Publisher Nature Portfolio

Journal Info

Scientific Reports

Nature Portfolio

ISSN: 2045-2322 Open Access Life Sciences

Authors (27)

S

Sarah N. Bevins

R

Richard B. Chipman

S

Scott F. Beckerman

D

David L. Bergman

D

Derek T. Collins

T

Thomas J. Deliberto

J

Joshua P. Eckery

J

Jeremy W. Ellis

A

Allen L. Gosser

J

Jonathon D. Heale

J

Jason M. Klemm

H

Hannah Cluett

K

Kali Ward

K

Kristina Lantz

T

Timothy J. Linder

M

Mitch Oswald

R

Robert Pleszewski

C

Christopher A. Quintanal

J

Jourdan M. Ringenberg

S

Sean P. Streich

K

Kelsey R. Weir

A

Aaron T. Phillips

B

Bledar Bisha

M

Mia K. Torchetti

J

Julianna B. Lenoch

J

Jeffrey C. Chandler

S

Susan A. Shriner