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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.07.25.550568

Experimental infection of elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) with SARS-CoV-2

Porter, S. M.·Hartwig, A. E.·Bielefeldt-Ohmann, H.·Root, J.·Bosco-Lauth, A.
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Abstract

Elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were experimentally evaluated for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Elk did not shed infectious virus but produced low-level serological responses. Mule deer shed and transmitted virus in addition to mounting pronounced serological responses; they could therefore play a role in the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2. Article Summary LineExperimental infection of elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) with SARS-CoV-2 revealed that while elk are minimally susceptible to infection, mule deer become infected, shed infectious virus, and can infect naive contacts.

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Porter, S. M., Hartwig, A. E., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, H., Root, J., Bosco-Lauth, A.. 2023-07-26. Experimental infection of elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) with SARS-CoV-2. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.07.25.550568

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