15 Endangered Marine Mammals Are At COVID-19 Risk From Human Wastewater
A new study has revealed that a phenomenon called ¡®reverse zoonotic transmission¡¯ could cause SARS CoV-2 to jump from humans to marine mammals. The route? Untreated wastewater that¡¯s released from cities and towns into the seas.
It's been almost a year since we¡¯ve been battling the COVID-19 pandemic and it is showing no signs of slowing down. While we desperately await the vaccines to take down the novel coronavirus, we¡¯re doing whatever it takes to stay safe.
However, now a new study suggests that it's not just humans who are at risk of contracting the novel coronavirus, marine mammals are at great risk too.
Reuters
A new study has revealed that a phenomenon called ¡®reverse zoonotic transmission¡¯ could cause SARS CoV-2 to jump from humans to marine mammals. The route? Untreated wastewater that¡¯s released from cities and towns into the seas.
It is no secret that wastewater from cities and towns is carrying the novel coronavirus with it. And even though cities are known to process their wastewater before it enters the sea, it doesn't happen at all times, which is a major concern.
Unlike other marine creatures, marine mammals are more susceptible to catching human diseases since we are closely related to marine mammals than other fishes and creatures. This gives viruses (or in this case the SARS CoV-2) to find a weakness similar to humans and attack them.
To determine this concern, scientists looked at genetic data for specific amino acids that make up proteins released by the novel coronavirus to infect the body. Looking at these amino acid patterns, they were able to find 15 marine mammal species which could be susceptible to the coronavirus. These include different species of whale, dolphin and seal, as well as otters.
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Dr Graham Dellaire, who led the study explains, ¡°Many of these species are threatened or critically endangered. In the past, these animals have been infected by related coronaviruses that have caused both mild diseases as well as life-threatening liver and lung damage.¡±
Saby Mathavaraja, co-author of the study further stated, ¡°Monitoring susceptible species in these high-risk areas around the world will be pertinent for protecting wildlife during and post-pandemic.¡±
