Absence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in wildlife of northeastern Minnesota and Isle Royale National Park

Abstract

AbstractAimsWe investigated the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in free‐ranging wildlife populations in Northeastern Minnesota on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation and Isle Royale National Park.Methods and ResultsOne hundred twenty nasal samples were collected from white‐tailed deer, moose, grey wolves and black bears monitored for conservation efforts during 2022–2023. Samples were tested for viral RNA by RT‐qPCR using the CDC N1/N2 primer set. Our data indicate that no wildlife samples were positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA.ConclusionsContinued surveillance is therefore crucial to better understand the changing landscape of zoonotic SARS‐CoV‐2 in the Upper Midwest.