COVID-19 mutations were found in NYC's rats.
This detail was shared by a new study titled "SARS-CoV-2 exposure in Norwegian rats (Rattus norvegicus) from New York City."
It has been more than three years ever since the global novel coronavirus pandemic began.
Many health experts claimed that the COVID-19 virus came from bats in China.
After that, new studies stating that other animals could also carry it emerged.
COVID-19 Mutations Found in NYC Rats
According to ABC 7's latest report, a new study claims that rodents in New York City carry different COVID-19 variants.
Also Read : COVID-19 Rapid Tests Still Efficient Against New Sub-Variants, Experts Claim But There's a Catch
Involved researchers also believe that these rats could also have COVID-19 mutations.
The new study, published by the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, revealed that 16% of rats in NYC have antibodies for the novel coronavirus.
Experts studied 79 Norwegian rats to complete their study. Thirteen of these rodents tested IgM or IgG positive.
Four of the rats had partial genomes of the SARS-CoV-2.
Aside from these details, the new study also showed that the rats were infected with Delta, Alpha, and Omicron variants.
NYC Officials Share Concerns
Since the new study is alarming, New York City's officials shared their concerns. They are asking if the rats with COVID-19 variants can infect humans.
Their concerns were raised because recent studies have proved that animal-to-human transmissions can happen with the virus.
The new study's researchers said that there's a chance that these rats can infect humans and other animals.
"Our findings highlight the potential risk of secondary zoonotic transmission from urban rats and the need for further monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in those populations," said the scientists.
In other stories, the possible 4th COVID-19 wave in New South Wales concerned experts, who are now calling for WFH setup.
Previously, the world's biggest electronics wholesale market shut down because of new COVID-19 cases.
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Written by Griffin Davis
