Can Wildlife Get COVID-19?

by Jenn Smith April 06, 2020

We can't escape Coronavirus news around the globe - as we hear about the increase of COVID-19 cases between people. We heard that dogs may be susceptible to the virus from news out of Europe and Asia. Then, we found out that cats could get the disease. Now, we learn that a tiger from the Bronx Zoo in New York has tested positively for Coronavirus.

This is causing concern and further questions - can wildlife that roam our yards get the Coronavirus; and will they spread it to our family members and pets?

We don't know for sure; but it seems that it is as possible as Lyme Disease to spread from white-tailed deer to people and pets.

To keep deer away from properties, it's best to install deer fencing. We don't know for sure whether deer can contract the COVID-19 Virus; but we do know that they can carry deer ticks with diseases and spread Chronic Wasting Disease to other deer herds.

Could Coronavirus be the next big spread between animals?