Did the omciron variant arise from the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus via rodents?

The origins of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 remain a topic of research and debate among scientists. There are several theories about how this variant arose, including the possibility that the virus evolved in an animal host, such as rodents.

One theory is that the Omicron variant evolved in a person with a long-term COVID-19 infection. In such cases, the virus can replicate and mutate over a longer period of time, potentially leading to the emergence of new variants with significant genetic changes.

Another hypothesis is that the Omicron variant arose through interspecies transmission, where the virus jumped from humans to an animal host (such as rodents), evolved there, and then jumped back to humans. Rodents are a possible host in this scenario because some studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 can infect rodents and adapt within these populations.

The Omicron variant shows a large number of mutations compared to previous SARS-CoV-2 variants. Some scientists suggest that the extent and nature of these mutations point to possible evolution in an animal host, where the virus would face different selection pressures than in human populations.

SARS-CoV-2 has previously been identified in several animal species, including mink, cats, and deer. Transmission between humans and animals and vice versa has been documented, supporting the possibility of an animal host for the evolution of new variants.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00288-z

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2022-12-09 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025