SARS Covid-2 Detected in New Jersey’s Deer Population

A cooperative surveillance program between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services and the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife has detected SARS-CoV-2 in two free-ranging deer in New Jersey. SARS CoV-2 has also been documented in deer in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, as part of ongoing surveillance projects. To date, 398 samples have been collected from New Jersey game butcher shops in this first year of the anticipated two-year study. Other states, such as Wisconsin, have begun testing their deer populations. SARS CoV-2 has been documented in other wildlife species such as mink, leopard, and in zoo settings in big cats, gorillas, otters, binturong, coatimundi, fishing cats and hyenas.

The World Organization for Animal Health’s website indicates, “Recent scientific research has shown a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection within white-tailed deer populations in North America.” While the virus has been shown to be prevalent in deer, they have not been reported to exhibit any clinical signs.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports there is no evidence that wildlife, including white-tailed deer, are a source of COVID-19 illness for people in the United States or that people can get COVID-19 from preparing and eating harvested game meat. There is also no evidence that the virus can be transmitted from deer to other animal species, and the virus is not expected to have a negative impact on the overall deer population.

The Murphy Administration reminds the public to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated and boosted against the virus.

• More Information and Recommended Hygiene and Safety Practices for Hunters