Coronaviruses are a large family of RNA viruses that cause diseases in animals and humans.
Some strains of coronaviruses affect only animals, and some strains can be transmitted between animals and humans.
Coronavirus infections cause mild to severe enteric, respiratory, or systemic diseases in domestic and wild animals.
In humans, coronaviruses cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(MERS) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Chinese authorities identified a new coronavirus as the causative agent for cases of pneumonia in humans reported in Wuhan City in December 2019. Subsequently, more cases of this same disease, now known as COVID-19, were reported all around the world and was finally declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a pandemic in 2020.
SARS-CoV-2 is the scientific name given to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).
Risk of Pets Spreading (SARS-CoV-2), The Virus That Causes COVID-19 In Humans
A pet is a tamed animal kept for companionship or pleasure.
Animals such as snakes, monkeys, parrots, fishes, dogs, cats, etc. have been tamed and kept as pets by people. In Ghana, the most common pets are cats and dogs.
Current data suggests that the COVID-19 virus came from an animal source (a close relative of the coronaviruses that circulate in horseshoe bats). But there’s no clear scientific evidence explaining how the virus got into humans.
There are ongoing investigations to find the source and determine how the virus jumped into the human population.
Based on current data and studies, the predominant mode of transmission of COVID-19 is from human to human.
Although there have been reports and publications on COVID-19 infections in companion animals, there is no evidence that these animals play a significant role in spreading COVID-19.
Investigations are needed to better comprehend the susceptibility of different animal species to the COVID-19 virus and to assess the epidemiology of the disease in susceptible animal species.
Currently, laboratory works conducted in animals have shown that:
-Cats are the most susceptible animals to clinical forms of COVID-19, with the ability to transmit it to other cats.
-Egyptian fruit bats exposed also tested positive to COVID-19 but showed no clinical signs nor transmission to other bats.
-Poultry and pigs showed resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
However, findings under laboratory setting do not necessarily represent natural occurrence.
To date, there is no evidence to suggest that animals who get COVID-19 from humans play any significant role in spreading the disease in human populations.
Reported Cases of COVID19 in Pets
A 17-year old Pomeranian in Hong Kong was reported to be the first dog to have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. This dog belonged to a 60-year-old woman who tested positive for COVID-19 and was suggested to be the source of transmission to the dog.
In Hong Kong, another dog (a German Shepherd) and a cat tested positive after 52 animals (30 dogs, 17 cats and 2 hamsters) suspected to be exposed were quarantined.
On 25th March, a cat from Belgium also tested positive for COVID-19.
The cat started showing signs of diarrhoea and difficulties in breathing. It subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 a week after its owner was confirmed to be positive of the disease.
Two cats in New York tested positive for the novel coronavirus on April 22. The two cats were tested after they showed mild respiratory symptoms.
According to the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), the first cat is suspected to have contracted the infection from mildly ill or asymptomatic household members or through contact with an infected person outside its home.
The second cat started showing signs of respiratory difficulties after its owner tested positive for the disease. Another cat in the household has shown no signs of illness.
Covid19 and Pets; Safety Tips
To date, there is no evidence that pets play any significant role in the spread of covid19 in humans. However, since reports are suggesting that this disease can be transmitted from humans to animals, it is recommended that people adhere strictly to safety protocols in handling their pets, practice good pet hygiene and wash your hands before and after handling pets.
Contact your vet if you have questions about your pet’s health or notice any abnormal changes in your pet.