# SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in cervids in the United States and US territories

## TL;DR

This study tracks SARS-CoV-2 in deer across the U.S., showing how the virus spreads from people to wildlife and changes over time.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into SARS-CoV-2 spillover and evolution in cervid populations in the U.S.

## Key findings

- SARS-CoV-2 was detected in multiple cervid species across the U.S. from 2021 to 2023.
- Viral and antibody prevalence in cervids changed over time, with variants differing from those in humans.
- Monitoring is needed to understand how these changes affect wildlife and human populations.

## Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 was found in multiple cervid species throughout the United States from October 2021 through October 2023 and results reinforce findings of considerable viral spillover from people to cervids. Data demonstrate changes in viral and neutralizing antibody prevalence over time and as well as viral variants that differed from what was circulating in human populations. Continued monitoring can help pinpoint what is driving changes in prevalence and how those changes alter risk to both wildlife and human populations.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-35967-8.