Coronavirus Oubreak in Animals: 60% of Deer in Michigan Tested Positive for COVID-19

More than half of white-tailed deer in Michigan have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Experts believe the data imply that wild animals in the United States might act as reservoirs for the virus even if it is eradicated from the human population.

Virus Found in Deers

Officials have yet to announce how they plan to address the issue of exposed wild animals, but Denmark wasted little time putting a stop to its exposed minks.

Twelve individuals were afflicted with a mutated coronavirus variant after catching it from minks in October 2020, prompting the massive slaughter.

Shortly after, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified coronavirus infections in the United States, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden, all connected to mink farms.

When SARS-CoV-2 spread from people to minks in fur farms, the virus's spike proteins changed, making it easier for the virus to infect the animals.

According to experts, when the virus was reintroduced into humans, it contained this mutation, making COVID-19 antibodies less effective.

For more health and medicine related news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!