SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk from asymptomatic carriers: Results from a mass screening programme in Luxembourg

Wilmes, Paul; Zimmer, Jacques; Schulz, Jasmin; Glod, Frank; Veiber, Lisa; Mombaerts, Laurent; Rodrigues, Bruno da Costa; Aalto, Atte; Pastore, Jessica; Snoeck, Chantal; Ollert, Markus; Fagherazzi, Guy; Mossong, Joël; Gonçalves, Jorge; Skupin, Alexander; Nehrbass, Ulf

doi:10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100056

Cited by 77 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…A meta-analysis which screened 2454 articles that included 663 positive humans, of which 111 were asymptomatic, found the proportion of asymptomatic infections among humans to be as high as 17% (95% CI: 14% to 20%) [ 52 ]. Although asymptomatic patients were found to infect slightly fewer contacts than symptomatic patients, the risk of transmission was still significant [ 53 ]. Wide-scale monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infections in companion animals in areas with high incidences among humans during the early phase of the pandemic was the chosen approach in the present study to broadly monitor this novel viral infection from a One Health perspective.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Dogs and Cats from Southern Germany and Northern Italy during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Klaus

Zini

Hartmann³

et al. 2021

Viruses

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected millions of people globally since its first detection in late 2019. Besides humans, cats and, to some extent, dogs were shown to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the need for surveillance in a One Health context. Seven veterinary clinics from regions with high incidences of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were recruited during the early pandemic (March to July 2020) for the screening of patients. A total of 2257 oropharyngeal and nasal swab specimen from 877 dogs and 260 cats (including 18 animals from COVID-19-affected households and 92 animals with signs of respiratory disease) were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) targeting the viral envelope (E) and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes. One oropharyngeal swab from an Italian cat, living in a COVID-19-affected household in Piedmont, tested positive in RT-qPCR (1/260; 0.38%, 95% CI: 0.01–2.1%), and SARS-CoV-2 infection of the animal was serologically confirmed six months later. One oropharyngeal swab from a dog was potentially positive (1/877; 0.1%, 95% CI: 0.002–0.63%), but the result was not confirmed in a reference laboratory. Analyses of convenience sera from 118 animals identified one dog (1/94; 1.1%; 95% CI: 0.02–5.7%) from Lombardy, but no cats (0/24), as positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) antibodies and neutralizing activity. These findings support the hypothesis that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pet cat and dog populations, and hence, the risk of zoonotic transmission to veterinary staff, was low during the first wave of the pandemic, even in hotspot areas.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Dogs and Cats from Southern Germany and Northern Italy during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Klaus

Zini

Hartmann³

et al. 2021

Viruses

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“…Given that asymptomatic and pre- symptomatic carriers could transmit the virus, their early isolation and the establishment of quarantine among their contacts, likely led to a reduction of transmission [32] . The only way detect these asymptomatic cases is through mass screening programs which are fundamental for population-wide containment strategies [33] . After the surveys and although the country's activities had been re-opened, only sporadic cases (N=5) were detected in June and no cases were detected in July.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mass SARS-CoV-2 serological screening, a population-based study in the Principality of Andorra

Royo-Cebrecos

Vilanova

López

et al. 2021

The Lancet Regional Health - Europe

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Background Andorra is a small country located in the Pyrenees attracting millions of visitors for tourism, mostly associated with skiing, and nature-related activities. As its neighbouring countries, Spain and France, it has been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the entire country by universal serological testing under a lockdown environment. Methods A total of 77,543 inhabitants of Andorra were invited to participate in the study. From 4-28 May, 2020, two cross sectional serological surveys were conducted using a rapid serological test (nCOV IgG/IgM) on a finger prick blood sample in 59 drive-through or walk-through checkpoints, all over Andorra. We calculated seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and analysed the main sociodemographic factors associated with being seropositive. Findings 70,494 inhabitants (90.9% of the population) participated in at least one survey. Overall seroprevalence was 11.0%. The most affected age groups were those over 90 years old (15.2%) and 80-89 (13.8%), followed by adults 50-59 (13.6%) and adolescents 10-19 (13.7%). Most seropositive participants, 6,061 (95.1%), were asymptomatic before the surveys. The multivariable analysis showed that the odds of being seropositive was higher among seasonal workers (OR 2.41; 95% CI 1.07-5.45) or in the population living in La Massana region, a popular ski-related area (OR 2.66; 95% CI 2.44-2.89). A higher seroprevalence was observed in those familiar nuclei with greater numbers of cohabitants: 18% in families with 6 household members or more; 13% in medium size families (3/4/5 people) and 12% in small size (1 to 2 people) nuclei. Interpretation The prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the population of Andorra was high during the first wave of the pandemic. Seasonal workers and inhabitants based in La Massana presented a higher seroprevalence. Mass antibody screening allows to identify infection hotspots and should contribute to the design of tailored interventions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Andorra. Funding Andorran Ministry of Health, Andorran Health Services.

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“…Unexpectedly, a negative COVID-19 test was, among other things, rated least important although various authors emphasize the necessity of targeted and systematic testing of asymptomatic persons to break the chain of infection [6,7]. The low relevance might be explained by respondents' mistrust in selfassessments and self-tests due to threat of false statements and/or manipulated test results, thus being not reliable.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceived Importance of Pandemic Interventions for Attending Cultural Events – Findings From Germany

Weber¹,

Plew²,

Neumann³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, many cultural and sporting events were held without spectators or had to be cancelled. Therefore, several containment strategies to provide requirements for safe events were developed and tested. Nonetheless, every second (50.7%) is afraid of becoming infected on an event. We therefore investigated which hygiene and containment measures are seen to be important from the visitor’s point of view and thus might increase subjective sense of safety.Methods This online study was carried out in November 2020. A total of 1,004 persons, who regularly attended events before the pandemic, took part in the study. The importance of different hygiene and containment measures was evaluated using 5-point Likert-scale (1 “unimportant” to 5 “extremely important”). Potential statistical differences in socio-demographical aspects (age, gender, net disposable income for leisure activities) and attendance on events were tested with analyses of variance. ResultsParticipants reported the use of disinfectant (M = 4.10) as the most important element of containment strategies, followed by transparent information on the hygiene strategy (M = 4.00), reduced occupancy (M = 3.98), and optimized ventilation (M = 3.97). Body temperature measurement at the entrance (M = 3.27), a negative COVID-19 test (M = 3.11), completion of a health questionnaire (M = 3.05), and abandoning breaks and catering (M = 2.98) were considered as less important.Analyses of group differences in socio-demographical aspects found abandoning breaks and catering to be more important to men than to women. This strategy is also more important to people aged 66 and above than to younger age groups. For women, the use of disinfectant is considerably more important. No other significant differences exist.ConclusionCombining relevant measures appears to be important to provide a safe containment strategy. Measures aimed at positively influencing people’s sense of safety do not fully correspond to medical knowledge of effectiveness. There are also target group-specific differences in the rating of measures, which should be considered while preparing containment strategies. To describe the dynamic development of changes in subjective rating of containment strategies, continuing research is needed.

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SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk from asymptomatic carriers: Results from a mass screening programme in Luxembourg

Cited by 77 publications

References 27 publications

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Dogs and Cats from Southern Germany and Northern Italy during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Dogs and Cats from Southern Germany and Northern Italy during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mass SARS-CoV-2 serological screening, a population-based study in the Principality of Andorra

Perceived Importance of Pandemic Interventions for Attending Cultural Events – Findings From Germany

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