Surveillance of Rodent Pests for SARS-CoV-2 and Other Coronaviruses in Hong Kong

HKU-Pasteur reports with the Centre for Immunology & Infection and the School of Public Health the surveillance of rodent pests for SARS-CoV-2 and other Coronaviruses during the 4th wave of COVID-19 in early 2021 in Hong Kong.

They did not detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA but identified 1 seropositive rodent, suggesting exposure to a virus antigenically similar to SARS-CoV-2. Potential exposure of urban rodents to SARS-CoV-2 cannot be ruled out.

Abstract

We report surveillance conducted in 217 pestiferous rodents in Hong Kong for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We did not detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA but identified 1 seropositive rodent, suggesting exposure to a virus antigenically similar to SARS-CoV-2. Potential exposure of urban rodents to SARS-CoV-2 cannot be ruled out.

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