COVID-19 mutations were found in NYC's rats.  

(Photo : Photo credit should read /AFP via Getty Images)
This undated photo shows a rat in the a pipe in London. Ageing sewers, insufficient garbage collection, a lack of resources to tackle the problem: it all adds up to a growing rat population in London, one of the world's wealthiest capital cities. AFP PHOTO

This detail was shared by a new study titled "SARS-CoV-2 exposure in Norwegian rats (Rattus norvegicus) from New York City." 

It has been more than three years ever since the global novel coronavirus pandemic began. 

Many health experts claimed that the COVID-19 virus came from bats in China.

After that, new studies stating that other animals could also carry it emerged. 

COVID-19 Mutations Found in NYC Rats

According to ABC 7's latest report, a new study claims that rodents in New York City carry different COVID-19 variants. 

(Photo : Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
A dead rat lays on the ground hunted by dogs of The Ryder's Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.)' in a neighborhood in lower Manhattan on May 14, 2021 in New York City. - Late one Friday night, eight dog enthusiasts and their pet pooches prowl several dark alleys in New York with one mission: to hunt and kill as many rats as possible.

Also Read: COVID-19 Rapid Tests Still Efficient Against New Sub-Variants, Experts Claim But There's a Catch

Involved researchers also believe that these rats could also have COVID-19 mutations. 

The new study, published by the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, revealed that 16% of rats in NYC have antibodies for the novel coronavirus. 

Experts studied 79 Norwegian rats to complete their study. Thirteen of these rodents tested IgM or IgG positive. 

Four of the rats had partial genomes of the SARS-CoV-2. 

Aside from these details, the new study also showed that the rats were infected with Delta, Alpha, and Omicron variants.  

NYC Officials Share Concerns 

Since the new study is alarming, New York City's officials shared their concerns. They are asking if the rats with COVID-19 variants can infect humans. 

Their concerns were raised because recent studies have proved that animal-to-human transmissions can happen with the virus. 

The new study's researchers said that there's a chance that these rats can infect humans and other animals. 

"Our findings highlight the potential risk of secondary zoonotic transmission from urban rats and the need for further monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in those populations," said the scientists. 

In other stories, the possible 4th COVID-19 wave in New South Wales concerned experts, who are now calling for WFH setup. 

Previously, the world's biggest electronics wholesale market shut down because of new COVID-19 cases. 

For more news updates about COVID-19 and other health topics, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

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Written by Griffin Davis