SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 are transmitted through the air between ferrets over more than one meter distance

Jasmin S Kutter,Sander Herfst,Pascal Lexmond,Theo M Bestebroer,Mathilde Richard,Ard Mulders,Ron A M Fouchier,Dennis De Meulder

doi:10.1038/s41467-021-21918-6

Jasmin S Kutter, Sander Herfst + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21918-6

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Journal: Nature Communications	Publication Date: Mar 12, 2021
Citations: 127	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Erasmus MC

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 emerged in late 2019 and caused a pandemic, whereas the closely related SARS-CoV was contained rapidly in 2003. Here, an experimental set-up is used to study transmission of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 through the air between ferrets over more than a meter distance. Both viruses cause a robust productive respiratory tract infection resulting in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to two of four indirect recipient ferrets and SARS-CoV to all four. A control pandemic A/H1N1 influenza virus also transmits efficiently. Serological assays confirm all virus transmission events. Although the experiments do not discriminate between transmission via small aerosols, large droplets and fomites, these results demonstrate that SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious while traveling through the air. Efficient virus transmission between ferrets is in agreement with frequent SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in mink farms. Although the evidence for virus transmission via the air between humans under natural conditions is absent or weak for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, ferrets may represent a sensitive model to study interventions aimed at preventing virus transmission.

Highlights

SARS-CoV-2 emerged in late 2019 and caused a pandemic, whereas the closely related SARS-CoV was contained rapidly in 2003
After validation of the set-up with the A/H1N1 influenza virus, we subsequently demonstrated that both SARS-CoV and SARSCoV-2 can be transmitted over a one-meter distance via the air
To investigate coronavirus transmission via the air over more than a meter distance, a transmission set-up was built in which individual donor and indirect recipient ferret cages were connected through a hard duct system consisting of horizontal and vertical pipes with multiple 90° turns

Summary

Introduction

SARS-CoV-2 emerged in late 2019 and caused a pandemic, whereas the closely related SARS-CoV was contained rapidly in 2003. An experimental set-up is used to study transmission of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 through the air between ferrets over more than a meter distance. Both viruses cause a robust productive respiratory tract infection resulting in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to two of four indirect recipient ferrets and SARS-CoV to all four. Given that most outbreaks occurred in clusters of people in close contact and in household settings, international health authorities conclude that SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted within a short distance between individuals via direct and indirect contact, or respiratory droplets with little support for an important contribution of transmission via the air[5]. To study if SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 can maintain their infectivity when bridging a distance of more than one meter through the air, an experimental ferret transmission set-up was developed. After validation of the set-up with the A/H1N1 influenza virus, we subsequently demonstrated that both SARS-CoV and SARSCoV-2 can be transmitted over a one-meter distance via the air

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