APHIS 11-55-014 | Issued August 2021
Scientists at APHIS’ National Wildlife Research Center used a commercially available SARS-CoV-2 antibody screening test known to be highly specific (accurate) for use in other species. However, it has not been validated on deer. To help reduce concerns that the commercial test may have detected antibodies to another virus (also
known as cross-reacting), we also tested a subset of samples at APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, IA, using a different test specific to SARS-CoV-2. Both analyses resulted in identical findings.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. APHIS 11-55-014 | Issued August 2021
In addition, scientists looked at samples collected before and after SARS-CoV-2 was detected in people in the United States. If the tests were cross-reacting with antibodies to another virus, researchers would have detected that in the archived samples. They did not.