There is evidence that the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is of animal origin. As with a number of zoonotic pathogens, there is a risk of spillover into novel hosts. Here, we propose a hypothesized conceptual model that illustrates the mechanism whereby the SARS-CoV-2 could spillover from infected humans to naive wildlife hosts in North America. This proposed model is premised on transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from human feces through municipal waste water treatment plants into the natural aquatic environment where potential wildlife hosts become infected. We use the existing literature on human coronaviruses, including SARS CoV, to support the potential pathways and mechanisms in the conceptual model. Although we focus on North America, our conceptual model could apply to other parts of the globe as well. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • The pandemic of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 likely originated from bats or other wildlife species. • We propose a conceptual model on SARS-CoV-2 spillover from infected humans to naive wildlife hosts in North America. • We hypothesize that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via sewage into the natural aquatic environment where wildlife become infected. • Wildlife surveillance near waste water treatment plants would elucidate whether SARS-CoV-2 has spilled over into wildlife.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, spillback, sewage, bats, raccoons, Waste water treatment plants,