Exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

• Published in: Veterinary microbiology Vol. 290; p. 110001
• Main Authors: Caballero-Gómez, Javier, Cano-Terriza, David, Segalés, Joaquim, Vergara-Alert, Júlia, Zorrilla, Irene, del Rey, Teresa, Paniagua, Jorge, Gonzálvez, Moisés, Fernández-Bastit, Leira, Nájera, Fernando, Montoya-Oliver, Juan I., Salcedo, Javier, García-Bocanegra, Ignacio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Animal health; Emerging zoonoses; Iberian lynx; SARS-CoV-2; Surveillance; SARS-CoV-2; Surveillance; Animal health; Iberian lynx; Emerging zoonoses
• ISSN: 0378-1135; 1873-2542
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110001

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging zoonotic virus of public and animal health concern, of which felids have been suggested as potential reservoirs. Although SARS-CoV-2 exposure has been detected in domestic and wild captive animals belonging to Felidae family, surveillance has not been carried out in free-ranging wild felids so far. The aim of the present study was to assess SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), the most endangered felid in the world. Between 2019 and 2022, we conducted a seroepidemiological study of SARS-CoV-2 in 276 free-ranging and captive Iberian lynxes. Our results evidenced limited (0.4%; 95%CI: 0.0–1.1) but not negligible exposure to this emerging virus in this endangered felid species, increasing the SARS-CoV-2 host range. The circulation of this virus in wildlife evidences the need of integrated European wildlife monitoring. •First surveillance study on free-ranging felines.•The Iberian lynx is naturally exposed to SARS-CoV-2.•The range of animal species susceptible to this emerging virus has increased.•Limited risk of transmission from the Iberian lynx to other sympatric species and vice versa so far.