Fig 1. Infection and transmission study of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer.

A) Schematic representation of the experimental design of infection/transmission study in WTD fawns. Three fawns were maintained as control (non-inoculated) in room A, and six fawns were inoculated intranasally with SARS-CoV-2 and housed in room B or C for 22 days post-inoculation (d pi). On day 3 pi two fawns (day 3 contact) were moved into a clean room (room C) where the inoculated fawns were also introduced. After 48 hours, day 3 contact fawns were transferred to a separate clean room (room D), where they were maintained until euthanized on 21 days post-contact (d pc). This process was performed with two additional fawns on day 6 pi (day 6 contact) and two fawns on day 9 pi (day 9 contact), which were housed in the separate rooms E and F, respectively. Respiratory nasal secretion, feces and serum were collected on the days indicated in the figure. B) Inoculated and control fawns were microchipped subcutaneously with temperature chips prior to the experiment, and monitored daily for body temperature starting on day 1 before inoculation until day 11 pi. Additionally, daily clinical observations were performed. Body temperatures are expressed in degrees Celsius. Rectangle highlights normal physiological body temperature range. NS = nasal swab; OS = oral swab; RS = rectal swab; ONS = oronasal swab.