Maybe the rats do run this city.
New York City rodents can carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 – and researchers fear it could be transmitted to humans, according to a new study.
The new research, published Thursday in the American Society for Microbiology “mBio,” determined that the rats could be infected with the Alpha, Delta and Omicron variants.
“Our findings highlight the need for further monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in rat populations for potential secondary zoonotic transmission to humans,” Dr. Henry Wan, the study’s principal investigator, said in a statement.
“Overall, our work in this space shows that animals can play a role in pandemics that impact humans, and it’s important that we continue to increase our understanding so we can protect both human and animal health,” added Dr. Wan, who also serves as a professor and the director for the University of Missouri’s Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The initial sample collection occurred in the fall of 2021 in coordination with the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Researchers collected samples from 79 Norway rats in the Big Apple to “look for evidence” of COVID-19 transmission. --->READ MORE HERE
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| AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File |
Three different coronavirus variants were discovered in New York City’s rat population, according to a new study.
A release from EurekAlert on Thursday states that rats were found to be infected with the alpha, delta and omicron COVID-19 variants.
Henry Wan, the principal investigator for the study and the director of the Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the University of Missouri, said in the statement that the finds demonstrate why additional monitoring of COVID-19 in rat populations is necessary to keep track of a possible secondary spreading of the virus from animals to humans.
“Overall, our work in this space shows that animals can play a role in pandemics that impact humans, and it’s important that we continue to increase our understanding so we can protect both human and animal health,” Wan said.
The release states New York City has about 8 million rats, which also widespread across other urban areas in the United States. It notes that two previous studies indicated that rats had been exposed to the virus, but which variants they interacted with had been unknown. --->READ MORE HEREFollow links below to relevant/related stories and resources:
Another reason to avoid rodents: NYC's rats found infected with virus that causes COVID
The coronavirus has infected New York City’s rats. Why that’s bad news for people
USA TODAY: Coronavirus Updates
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YAHOO NEWS: Coronavirus Live Updates
NEW YORK POST: Coronavirus The Latest
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