Coronavirus in relation to Pets
Dear Clients,
In both Kennels & Cattery as well as Clinic we have received questions of concerned clients on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Pets. We have received an official text from the WSAVA (the World Small Animal Veterinary Association) with official answers to most of the questions you might have. Please find here a link to this article. If you have any further concerns, please do not hesitate to ask us and we will try to give you an answer.
5 questions and answers:
Is COVID-19 the only known coronavirus?
No. There are many types of coronaviruses among the human and the animal world. Human coronaviruses are known as 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1are responsible for common mild to moderate upper respiratory tract infections. Most of the people get at some stage in their life infected by one of more types of coronaviruses. Other human coronaviruses known as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV are coming from the animal world (zoonosis) and are responsible for a more severe respiratory infection.
In the animal world among mammals, birds, and fish there are many other different types of coronaviruses.
Is COVID-19 a new virus?
Yes. On February,11th 2020, the world health organization named a new virus that was never detected in the past: the COVID-19. This virus was first detected in Wuhan, in the Hubei Province – China. COVID-19 is responsible for a zoonosis, a disease contagious to humans from an animal reservoir. This new disease is a respiratory infection, with an estimated mortality rate so far of 2.3%
What happened in Wuhan -China?
An outbreak of a new disease started in December 2019 at the seafood and live animal market in Wuhan in the province of Hubei. It is believed that the proximity between human beings in the market and several animals from wildlife has caused a viral transmission between an animal and a human being. A human to human transmission of the same virus thereafter happened.
What is the source of COVID-19?
Investigations are still ongoing to clarify this point. The genetic sequence of COVID-19 shows that it is very close relative to another coronavirus seen in bats. At this stage it is unclear whether humans were contaminated from bats or through another intermediate animal host?
Have they reported cases of COVID-19 in pets? Are pets a threat for human beings’ health?
According to the OIE (office international des epizooties), the world organization for animal health: “…there is no evidence that pets or other domestic animals can be infected with COVID-19 virus, nor is there evidence that pets or other domestic animals might be a source of infection to people with COVID-19.” https://www.oie.int/scientific-expertise/specific-information-and-recommendations/questions-and-answers-on-2019novel-coronavirus/
As this is a new virus for everyone, not all answers are satisfying, we ask you for your understanding,
Dr. Ellen Kruijning, Dr. Mehdi Mzabi
Team ABVC
