Elsevier created a free COVID-19 resource center in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The center is hosted on Elsevier Connect, and the company grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. A study published in Cell Host & Microbe reveals that ferrets are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and can transmit the virus through direct or indirect contact, mimicking human infection and transmission. Infected ferrets showed elevated body temperatures and virus replication, with virus shedding in nasal washes, saliva, urine, and feces up to 8 days post-infection. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in all naive ferrets two days after contact, suggesting efficient transmission. Viral antigens were found in nasal turbinate, trachea, lungs, and intestine, with acute bronchiolitis in infected lungs. Ferrets thus represent a model for studying SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission, aiding in the development of therapeutics and vaccines. The study used a ferret model to investigate SARS-CoV-2 replication and shedding, finding high viral RNA levels in nasal washes and saliva, with infectious virus titers detected in nasal secretions. Ferrets infected with SARS-CoV-2 shed the virus in urine and feces, indicating potential airborne transmission. Viral RNA was detected in multiple body fluids, and infectious virus was isolated from nasal washes of ferrets exposed to infected specimens. The study also showed that SARS-CoV-2 replicates in ferret organs, with high viral RNA levels in nasal turbinate and lung tissue at 4 dpi. Immunohistochemistry confirmed SARS-CoV-2 antigen in infected tissues, with acute bronchiolitis in lungs. Ferrets showed mild clinical symptoms and lower virus titers compared to other models, but their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and efficient transmission make them a valuable model for studying the virus. The study highlights the importance of ferrets in understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission and pathogenesis, and their potential use in evaluating antiviral therapies and vaccines.Elsevier created a free COVID-19 resource center in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The center is hosted on Elsevier Connect, and the company grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. A study published in Cell Host & Microbe reveals that ferrets are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and can transmit the virus through direct or indirect contact, mimicking human infection and transmission. Infected ferrets showed elevated body temperatures and virus replication, with virus shedding in nasal washes, saliva, urine, and feces up to 8 days post-infection. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in all naive ferrets two days after contact, suggesting efficient transmission. Viral antigens were found in nasal turbinate, trachea, lungs, and intestine, with acute bronchiolitis in infected lungs. Ferrets thus represent a model for studying SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission, aiding in the development of therapeutics and vaccines. The study used a ferret model to investigate SARS-CoV-2 replication and shedding, finding high viral RNA levels in nasal washes and saliva, with infectious virus titers detected in nasal secretions. Ferrets infected with SARS-CoV-2 shed the virus in urine and feces, indicating potential airborne transmission. Viral RNA was detected in multiple body fluids, and infectious virus was isolated from nasal washes of ferrets exposed to infected specimens. The study also showed that SARS-CoV-2 replicates in ferret organs, with high viral RNA levels in nasal turbinate and lung tissue at 4 dpi. Immunohistochemistry confirmed SARS-CoV-2 antigen in infected tissues, with acute bronchiolitis in lungs. Ferrets showed mild clinical symptoms and lower virus titers compared to other models, but their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and efficient transmission make them a valuable model for studying the virus. The study highlights the importance of ferrets in understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission and pathogenesis, and their potential use in evaluating antiviral therapies and vaccines.