The Guardian: New York City rats can carry Covid variants, new study finds

A study published in mBio journal shows that rats in New York City can carry three Covid-19 variants, according to virological studies and genomic sequencing on samples from 79 rats. While the CDC notes that animal-to-human transmission of Covid-19 is rare, the study’s principal investigator, Dr Henry Wan, highlights the need for further examination on the risk of the virus in rat populations. The study is one of the first to show how Covid-19 variants can cause infections in the wild rat populations in a major US urban area. The authors of the study emphasize the importance of increasing our understanding to protect both human and animal health. The full article by Betsy Reed can be read here on the Guardian. For more information on COVID-19 click here.