Susceptibility of turkeys, chickens and chicken embryos to SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract

The susceptibility of turkeys, chickens and chicken embryos to SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated by experimental infection. Turkeys and chickens were inoculated using a combination of intranasal, oral and ocular routes. Both turkeys and chickens did not develop clinical disease or seroconvert following inoculation. Viral RNA was not detected in oral swabs, cloacal swabs or in tissues using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. In addition, chicken embryos were inoculated by various routes including the yolk sac, intravenous, chorioallantoic membrane and allantoic cavity. In all instances, chicken embryos failed to support replication of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 does not affect turkeys or chickens in the current genetic state and does not pose any potential risk to establish an infection in both species of domestic poultry.