SARS-CoV-2 Spillback in Opossums, Southern Brazil

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Environmental Virology
• Wildlife Disease Ecology

Background:

• The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has raised concerns about its potential transmission to wildlife populations.
• Understanding viral reservoirs and spillover events is crucial for public health and conservation efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in free-living white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris).
• To identify potential routes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission between humans and wildlife in the Vale dos Sinos region, Brazil.

Main Methods:

• Sample collection: Rectal and oral swabs from 52 white-eared opossums.
• Sequencing: Metagenomic analysis followed by targeted SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing.
• Data analysis: Identification of viral sequences and phylogenetic analysis.

Main Results:

• Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in five (9.6%) of the sampled opossums.
• Genomic sequencing confirmed the presence of the virus in these animals.
• Evidence suggests transmission occurred through contact with contaminated water bodies or human waste.

Conclusions:

• Free-living white-eared opossums in Brazil can be infected with SARS-CoV-2.
• Environmental contamination serves as a potential pathway for SARS-CoV-2 spillover into wildlife.
• This highlights the importance of monitoring wildlife for emerging infectious diseases and managing human waste to prevent zoonotic transmission.