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SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via contact and via the air between ferrets

Author

Listed:
  • Mathilde Richard

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

  • Adinda Kok

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

  • Dennis Meulder

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

  • Theo M. Bestebroer

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

  • Mart M. Lamers

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

  • Nisreen M. A. Okba

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

  • Martje Fentener van Vlissingen

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

  • Barry Rockx

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

  • Bart L. Haagmans

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

  • Marion P. G. Koopmans

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

  • Ron A. M. Fouchier

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

  • Sander Herfst

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus that emerged in late 2019, has spread rapidly worldwide, and information about the modes of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among humans is critical to apply appropriate infection control measures and to slow its spread. Here we show that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted efficiently via direct contact and via the air (via respiratory droplets and/or aerosols) between ferrets, 1 to 3 days and 3 to 7 days after exposure respectively. The pattern of virus shedding in the direct contact and indirect recipient ferrets is similar to that of the inoculated ferrets and infectious virus is isolated from all positive animals, showing that ferrets are productively infected via either route. This study provides experimental evidence of robust transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via the air, supporting the implementation of community-level social distancing measures currently applied in many countries in the world and informing decisions on infection control measures in healthcare settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathilde Richard & Adinda Kok & Dennis Meulder & Theo M. Bestebroer & Mart M. Lamers & Nisreen M. A. Okba & Martje Fentener van Vlissingen & Barry Rockx & Bart L. Haagmans & Marion P. G. Koopmans & Ro, 2020. "SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via contact and via the air between ferrets," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-17367-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17367-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert M. Cox & Josef D. Wolf & Carolin M. Lieber & Julien Sourimant & Michelle J. Lin & Darius Babusis & Venice DuPont & Julie Chan & Kim T. Barrett & Diane Lye & Rao Kalla & Kwon Chun & Richard L. M, 2021. "Oral prodrug of remdesivir parent GS-441524 is efficacious against SARS-CoV-2 in ferrets," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Carolin M. Lieber & Robert M. Cox & Julien Sourimant & Josef D. Wolf & Kate Juergens & Quynh Phung & Manohar T. Saindane & Meghan K. Smith & Zachary M. Sticher & Alexander A. Kalykhalov & Michael G. N, 2022. "SARS-CoV-2 VOC type and biological sex affect molnupiravir efficacy in severe COVID-19 dwarf hamster model," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Bruno A. Rodriguez-Rodriguez & Grace O. Ciabattoni & Ralf Duerr & Ana M. Valero-Jimenez & Stephen T. Yeung & Keaton M. Crosse & Austin R. Schinlever & Lucie Bernard-Raichon & Joaquin Rodriguez Galvan , 2023. "A neonatal mouse model characterizes transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants and reveals a role for ORF8," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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