Current State of Knowledge about Role of Pets in Zoonotic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Pets play a crucial role in the development of human feelings, social life, and care. However, in the era of the prevailing global pandemic of COVID-19 disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many questions addressing the routes of the virus spread and transmission to humans are dramatically emerging. Although cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been found in pets including dogs, cats, and ferrets, to date there is no strong evidence for pet-to-human transmission or sustained pet-to-pet transmission of SARS-CoV-2. However, an increasing number of studies reporting detection of SARS-CoV-2 in farmed minks raises suspicion of potential viral transmission from these animals to humans. Furthermore, due to the high susceptibility of cats, ferrets, minks and hamsters to COVID-19 infection under natural and/or experimental conditions, these animals have been extensively explored as animal models to study the SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and transmission. In this review, we present the latest reports focusing on SARS-CoV-2 detection, isolation, and characterization in pets. Moreover, based on the current literature, we document studies aiming to broaden the knowledge about pathogenicity and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, and the development of viral therapeutics, drugs and vaccines. Lastly, considering the high rate of SARS-CoV-2 evolution and replication, we also suggest routes of protection against the virus.

Seroprevalence of antibodies against severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in household dogs in Japan

“…Previous research reported that two of 15 dogs kept in households with confirmed human COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong were infected with SARS-CoV-2 [ 13 ]. Since then, SARS-CoV-2-infected dogs have been reported worldwide [ 1 , 3 ]. Under experimental conditions, cats and ferrets are reported to be susceptible to the virus, while dogs are less susceptible [ 12 ].…”

“…Under experimental conditions, cats and ferrets are reported to be susceptible to the virus, while dogs are less susceptible [ 12 ]. However, almost as many dogs as cats have been naturally infected [ 1 , 3 , 11 ], possibly because people interact more with their dogs than with cats [ 11 ]. Although domestic dogs are often considered family members, few reports have been published on the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in dogs.…”

Effects of 105 biological, socioeconomic, behavioural, and environmental factors on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a severe course of Covid-19: A prospective longitudinal study

“…Similarly, the relatively weak effects of keeping other animals (rodents and pigs) on the risk of a more severe course of Covid-19 were probably just artifacts of multiple tests. It must be, however, reminded that hamsters are susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 infection 27 .…”

Animal Coronavirus Diseases: Parallels with COVID-19 in Humans

“…However, emerging studies have shown that the disease can also be transferred from infected humans to animals, such as domestic and nondomestic animals [ 20 ]. Bats are reservoirs for SARS-CoV [ 21 ] and other CoVs related to MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV [ 22 ]. Therefore, bats are the most likely potential reservoir with a possible intermediate transmission event in pangolins for SARS-CoV-2 [ 23 ].…”

“…These signs appeared a week after the cat owner self-quarantined at home due to COVID-19 [ 20 ]. Subsequently, consecutive cases of SARS-COV-2 in cats were reported in several countries [ 22 ]. Cats with COVID-19 are usually asymptomatic or have mild to moderate respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms [ 24 ].…”