Natural SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Kept Ferrets, Spain

We found severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA in 6 (8.4%) of 71 ferrets in central Spain and isolated and sequenced virus from 1 oral and 1 rectal swab specimen. Natural infection occurs in kept ferrets when virus circulation among humans is high. However, small ferret collections probably cannot maintain virus circulation.

Automated summary

In central Spain, 8.4% of ferrets were found to carry SARS-CoV-2 RNA, suggesting natural infection in kept ferrets occurs when virus circulation among humans is high. However, small ferret collections may not be able to maintain virus circulation.