A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of New Hampshire have suggested that deer could potentially be a reservoir of old coronavirus variants.
The study, which was published in the journal PLOS ONE, examined the genetic material of two subspecies of white-tailed deer, focusing on the Spike protein, which is the part of the virus that binds to cells in our body to cause infection.
The research team found that the Spike proteins from the deer were more similar to those of ancient coronaviruses, suggesting that these deer could be carrying an older version of the virus. This is important as it could help scientists understand how the virus has evolved over time and how it is able to evade immunity.
What does the study mean for humans?
Although researchers are still trying to understand the implications of the findings, the study does suggest that deer could be playing a role in the evolution of coronaviruses.
It is possible that the virus is transferring between deer and humans, although further research is needed to confirm this theory. Additionally, if the theory is true, then it is possible that immunization against these older variants could prove more useful in protecting humans from future mutations.
What more research is needed?
At this point, it is hard to say what the exact implications of the study are for human health. To understand how the virus is able to transfer between humans and deer, further research is needed.
Additionally, the research team has suggested that surveillance of deer populations could help scientists track the evolution of the virus and keep an eye out for any new variations.
Conclusion
Overall, the study suggests that deer could be a reservoir of old coronavirus variants and it could help scientists better understand how the virus is evolving.
Further research is needed to confirm this theory and to understand the exact implications for human health, as well as possible mitigation efforts.
A new study, published in the journal Science, suggests that deer could be a reservoir of old coronavirus variants. The researchers conducted an extensive analysis of viruses detected in deer in the United States during 2020, and they found that they detected several strains of SARS-CoV-2.
The findings provide further evidence that deer can be a reservoir of the virus, and could potentially act as a source of new variants. Although deer are not known to transmit the virus to humans, the researchers say that this is a valuable insight into how the virus may persist and evolve in wildlife.
The study found that the viruses collected in deer were most closely related to those detected in humans. This suggests that deer could be a bridge between wildlife and human populations, passing the virus from one to the other. It also suggests that the virus is more widespread than previously thought, and that it may be in the environment for longer than expected.
The researchers say that further research is needed to understand how deer may be contributing to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This includes understanding where deer populations are located and how they interact with people or other wildlife, as well as understanding the transmission risk associated with deer.
Overall, the findings of the study suggest that deer could be contributing to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, and that further research is needed to better understand the role that deer might play.