Wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) do not play a role as vectors or reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2 in northeastern Poland

Abstract

Several studies reported a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among white-tailed deer in North America. Monitoring cervids in all regions to better understand SARS CoV 2 infection and circulation in other deer populations has been urged. To evaluate deer exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in Poland, we sampled 90 reed deer individuals shot by hunters in five hunting districts in northeastern Poland. Serum and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected, and then the Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA) to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was performed as well as real-time PCR with reverse transcription for direct virus detection. No positive samples were detected. There is no evidence of spillover of SARS-CoV-2 from the human to deer population in Poland.