Lack of SARS-CoV-2 RNA evidence in the lungs from wild European polecats () from Spain.

Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in wildlife species is limited. The high prevalences found in mustelid species such as free-ranging American minks () and domestic ferrets () justify the study of this virus in the closely related autochthonous free-ranging European polecat (). We analysed lung samples from 48 roadkilled polecats collected when the human infection reached its highest levels in Spain (2020-2021). We did not detect infections by SARS-CoV-2; however, surveillance in wild carnivores and particularly in mustelids is still warranted, due to their susceptibility to this virus.