Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus) weights and Ct values for SARS-CoV-2 Infection challenge

Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) weights and SARS-CoV2 test results were collected as part of study to assess transmission potential of SARS-CoV2 in North American bat populations. It has been proposed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus originated in Asian bats and subsequently spread through human populations as a pandemic. There is concern that infected humans could transmit the virus to native North American bats, therefore the susceptibility of several North American bat species to the pandemic virus has been experimentally assessed. Big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) were shown to be resistant to infection by SARS-CoV-2, while Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) became infected and orally excreted moderate amounts of virus for up to 18 days post-inoculation. Little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) frequently contact humans, and their populations are threatened over much of their range due to white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that is continuing to spread across North America. For this study, we experimentally challenged little brown bats with SARS-CoV-2 to determine their susceptibility, host potential, and whether the virus presents an additional risk to this species. We present data, including oral and rectal excretion, health status and serological evidence that shows this species was resistant to infection by SARS-CoV-2. These findings will provide reassurance to wildlife rehabilitators, biologists, conservation scientists, and the public at large who are concerned with possible transmission of this virus to threatened bat populations.