Intraspecific SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant transmission among red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

Abstract

This study assessed the susceptibility of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) to the Delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Upon finding that both species were susceptible to infection and shed infectious virus, transmission potential was assessed by exposing naïve animals to infected members of their species indirectly (red fox) or directly (striped skunks). Red fox transmitted virus to conspecifics, while contact striped skunks did not become infected with the virus or develop a detectable humoral response. This suggests that red fox could contribute to the maintenance of SARS-CoV-2, while striped skunks are unlikely to do so.