It is not currently known whether the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has the potential to infect North American wildlife. Specifically, it’s unknown if the virus will spillover to North American bats, if these bats are susceptible to infection, could serve as a new reservoir for the disease, or if the virus will result in morbidity and mortality, particularly in bats weakened by white-nose syndrome or other stressors.
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (AFWA) Fish and Wildlife Health Committee and Bat Working Group have collaborated on voluntary interim guidance, with main points outlined below:
It is recommended that state and federal fish and wildlife agency biologists and permitted researchers, consultants, or rehabbers that involve the capture and/or direct handling of bats, consider postponing those activities until more information about susceptibility of North American bats to SARS-CoV-2 becomes available.
Rehabilitation Recommendations
Some wildlife rehabilitators have direct contact with bats and there is the potential for human to bat transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Given the diversity of viral presentation in humans, the current level of testing available, and the limited availability of PPE, it is difficult to know the risk of viral transmission by a rehabilitator to animals in their care. For these reasons, AFWA recommends that wildlife rehabilitators not accept bats for rehabilitation at the present time.
In response, The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association released a Position Statement that supports the continued admittance of bats for rehabilitation, “To ensure proper bat care, welfare, and conservation, but foremost as part of the solution to public health concerns surrounding bats.”
Management Recommendations
While humans may unknowingly shed virus in environments used by bats such as caves, the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to bats is unknown. Until more information is available, it is recommended that fish and wildlife agencies use their discretion to determine how best to manage these risks on state, federal, and provincial lands. Several states have issued or are contemplating issuing cave closures on state managed lands.
The U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Forest Service, and state fish and wildlife agency staff are working on a risk assessment and associated analyses to help answer these questions. We will keep you updated as further guidelines become available.
