Figure - available from: Environmental Health Insights
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Total number of animal species (by taxonomic class) investigated in the sources chosen for the scoping review. A total of 649 animal species belonging to eight different classes were investigated by the 97 sources selected for the scoping review.
Source publication
In the early stages of response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it was imperative for researchers to rapidly determine what animal species may be susceptible to the virus, under low knowledge and high uncertainty conditions. In this scoping review, the animal species being evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, the methods used to evaluate susceptibi...
Citations
... A review by Rutherford et al. compiled SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility data from in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological studies performed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (37). Their analysis found contrasting susceptibility of pigs to SARS-CoV-2, citing an in vivo experimental infection in which two pigs tested positive for the virus via reverse transcriptase quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) (37,38). Cattle were also reported to have low susceptibility, but due to significant interactions with humans, spillback events remain a concern (37). ...
... Cattle were also reported to have low susceptibility, but due to significant interactions with humans, spillback events remain a concern (37). Other susceptible species include racoons, skunks, old world rodents (who are more susceptible to recent SARS-CoV-2 variants), otters, and hyenas (37,39). ...
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is notable both for its impact on global public health as well as its well-publicized transmissibility to other species of animals. Infection of incidental animal hosts is concerning because of possible emergence of novel variants due to viral mutation. Species that are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 include domestic and nondomestic cats, domestic dogs, white-tailed deer, mink, and golden hamsters, among others. We detail possible origins of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans, as well as the ecological and molecular mechanisms needed for the virus to establish infection in humans from animals. We highlight examples of SARS-CoV-2 spillover, spillback, and secondary spillover, demonstrating the breadth in the variability of hosts and current transmission events that have been documented in domestic, captive, and wild animals. Lastly, we turn our focus to the importance of animal hosts as potential reservoirs and sources of variant emergence that can have profound effects on the human population. We note that a One Health approach emphasizing surveillance of animals and humans in certain environments using interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged to manage disease surveillance, regulation on animal trade and testing, and animal vaccine development that will mitigate further disease outbreaks. These efforts will minimize the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and advance knowledge to prevent the spread of future emerging infectious diseases.
... A study conducted during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the possible formation of a wildlife reservoir naturally focuses on the novel coronavirus that first appeared in China and then spread across the globe [21,[28][29][30][31][32]. This virus is a single-stranded RNA virus whose origin is most likely in the wildlife population of China. ...
Unlike farm animals, wild animals are not subject to continuous health surveillance. Individual projects designed to screen wildlife populations for specific pathogens are, therefore, also of great importance for human health. In this context, the possible formation of a reservoir for highly pathogenic zoonotic pathogens is a focus of research. Two of these pathogens that have received particular attention during the last years are the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), due to its fast global spread and high impact to the human health, and, since its introduction into Germany, the flavivirus West Nile virus (WNV). Especially in combination with invasive vertebrate species (e.g., raccoons (Procyon lotor) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Germany), risk analysis must be done to enable health authorities to assess the potential for the establishment of new wild life reservoirs for pathogens. Therefore, samples were collected from raccoons and raccoon dogs and analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and WNV infections in these populations. Molecular biological and serological data obtained imply that no SARS-CoV-2 nor WNV reservoir has been established in these two wild life species yet. Future investigations need to keep an eye on these invasive carnivore populations, especially since the close contact of these animals to humans, mainly in urban areas, would make animal–human transmission a challenge for human health.
... Risk of zoonotic disease transmission is considered one of the key challenges for owning pets. Mani and Maguire (2009) claim that rodent diseases, rabies, and avian diseases are the most common zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from pet animals to humans and humans to animals (Rutherford et al., 2022). They also claimed that immunocompromised pet owners are those most at risk of developing zoonoses. ...
Companion animals have the potential to provide friendship and support to their owners by decreasing loneliness and promoting social interaction with other humans. Despite a myriad of anecdotal evidence, there is limited published information in Bangladesh on the role that human-companion animal interaction may have in the well-being of humans. Research on human-animal interaction (HAI) with companion animals has received very little or no attention in Bangladesh, focusing almost exclusively on zoonotic disease transmission. Guided by the concept of zooeyia – which acknowledges the positive health impacts of animals in human lives, this exploratory study aimed to understand the historic and contemporary roles of and perceptions about the social benefits and challenges of having a companion animal in urban Bangladesh. In addition, my study examined the role of HAI in strengthening the social interaction of pet owners with other individuals and its impact on human well-being. Thirty-five qualitative interviews were conducted with companion animal owners (20), companion animal sellers (10), and livestock service officers (five) from two major cities of Bangladesh, namely Dhaka and Khulna. Drawing on some relevant and key concepts of the One Health framework, symbolic interaction theory, social support theory and attachment theory, thematic analysis was applied to analyze and explain the findings of my study. The findings relay that in the past, companion animals were considered a symbol of aristocracy, a means of security for households, and a subject of entertainment for the owners. Nowadays, owners feel an attachment to their companion animals due to receiving emotional, social, and physical support from them. Companion animal ownership is contributing to social problems, including conflict between animal owners and others. Further, religious identity, ownership of residence, and the likelihood of transmitting diseases are key determinants for not owning companion animals. The perceived benefits of social interaction far outweigh the costs of pet ownership. To my knowledge, this is the first study of its kind that examined the social impacts of HAI in Bangladesh. Therefore, the findings of this study can make a significant contribution toward understanding the role of companion animals in human well-being in Bangladeshi society.
Aims
Current data suggest that SARS‐CoV‐2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) emerged from an animal source. However, to date, there is insufficient scientific evidence to identify the source of SARS‐CoV‐2 or to explain the original route of transmission to humans. A wide range of mammalian species have been shown to be susceptible to the virus through experimental infection, and in natural environments when in contact with infected humans. The main objective of this work was to provide a summary of the official data shared by countries on SARS‐CoV‐2 in animals with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), to highlight the role of WOAH as an international organization in coordinating scientific information actions and to discuss the implications and impact of these activities.
Methods and Results
Between January 2020 and December 2022, 36 countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa officially reported SARS‐CoV‐2 identification in 26 animal species. Affected countries were generally responsive in confirming the pathogen (median of 5 days after onset) and reporting to WOAH (median of 7 days after confirmation).
Conclusions
During the pandemic, WOAH, supported by its network of experts, played a crucial role in collecting, analysing and disseminating veterinary scientific information, acting as the reference organization on these issues, thus avoiding misinformation and disinformation. Future perspectives to avoid new emerging threats are discussed.
COVID-19 is one of the deadliest epidemics. This pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but the role of dogs in spreading the disease in human society is poorly understood. This review sheds light on the limited susceptibility of dogs to COVID-19 infections which is likely attributed to the relatively low levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the respiratory tract and the phylogenetic distance of ACE2 in dogs from the human ACE2 receptor. The low levels of ACE2 affect the binding affinity between spike and ACE2 proteins resulting in it being uncommon for dogs to spread the disease. To demonstrate the role of dogs in spreading COVID-19, we reviewed the epidemiological studies and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs. Additionally, we discussed the use of detection dogs as a rapid and reliable method for effectively discriminating between SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected individuals using different types of samples (secretions, saliva, and sweat). We considered the available information on COVID-19 in the human–dog interfaces involving the possibility of transmission of COVID-19 to dogs by infected individuals and vice versa, the human–dog behavior changes, and the importance of preventive measures because the risk of transmission by domestic dogs remains a concern.
