Suburban Population of Bobcats (Lynx rufus) in Connecticut, USA, Tested Negative for SARS-CoV-2, November 2021-February 2022

Maureen Sims; Zeinab Helal; Milton Levin; Tracy Rittenhouse; Jason Hawley; Guillermo R Risatti

doi:10.7589/JWD-D-23-00054

Suburban Population of Bobcats (Lynx rufus) in Connecticut, USA, Tested Negative for SARS-CoV-2, November 2021-February 2022

J Wildl Dis. 2024 Jan 1;60(1):193-197. doi: 10.7589/JWD-D-23-00054.

Authors

Maureen Sims^{1

2

3}, Zeinab Helal^{1

2

3}, Milton Levin¹, Tracy Rittenhouse⁴, Jason Hawley⁵, Guillermo R Risatti^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Atwater Lab Bldg., 61 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3089, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3089, USA.
² Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Atwater Lab Bldg., 61 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3089, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3089, USA.
³ These authors contributed equally.
⁴ Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Center, University of Connecticut, Wilfred B. Young Bldg., 1376 Storrs Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-4087, USA.
⁵ Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127, USA.

PMID: 37924242
DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-23-00054

Abstract

A SARS-CoV-2 genomic and serologic survey was performed in a population of bobcats (Lynx rufus) inhabiting the state of Connecticut, USA. Wild animal populations are becoming established in densely populated cities with increased likelihood of direct or indirect contact with humans, as well as with household cats and dogs. Wild-caught bobcats (n=38) tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR and for virus-neutralizing antibodies by ELISA, suggesting that either the species is not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 or that the surveyed population has not yet been exposed to a source of infectious virus. However, this limited survey cannot rule out that human-to-bobcat or unknown reservoir-to-bobcat transmission of the virus occurs in nature.

Keywords: Bobcats; COVID 19; SARS-CoV-2; detection; reverse transcription quantitative PCR; serology.

MeSH terms

Animals
COVID-19* / epidemiology
COVID-19* / veterinary
Cat Diseases* / epidemiology
Cats
Connecticut / epidemiology
Dog Diseases*
Dogs
Humans
Lynx*
SARS-CoV-2
Suburban Population