Study suggests SARS-CoV-2 could affect aquatic wildlife Researchers have found that oxidative stress and neurotoxicity biomarkers increased in tadpoles exposed to synthetic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein peptides. SARS-CoV-2, the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), spreads mainly by the airborne transmission of virus droplets from an infected person. However, the virus can stay alive on various surfaces (also known as 'fomites') for several days. Coming in contact with such contaminated surfaces can also cause virus transmission. Environmental transmission of the virus can also occur through indirect contact with urine or stool of infected people. Studies around the globe have detected the presence of the virus's ribonucleic acid (RNA) in sewage and wastewater. Household waste from hospitals and large buildings can thus harbor the virus and its ecotoxicological effects are yet unknown.