Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): questions and answers about pets, commercially kept animals and stray animals

What causes COVID-19?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a family of RNA (ribonucleic acid) viruses. They are called coronaviruses because a typical 'corona' (crown) is visible around the lipid envelope of the virus particle. CoV infections are common in animals and humans. Some CoV strains are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted between animals and humans, but many are not.

In humans, CoV can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious conditions such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (caused by MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (caused by SARS-CoV). Detailed investigations have shown that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civets to humans and MERS-CoV from camels to humans.

In December 2019, cases of pneumonia (lung infection) of unknown origin were reported in Wuhan, a city in China's Hubei Province. Chinese authorities reported that these illnesses were caused by a novel CoV. Since then, people infected with this virus have been found to have traveled to Wuhan or the Hubei region.

The CoV that causes the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was named SARS-CoV-2 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). This is the scientific name of the virus. The virus may also be referred to as the "COVID-19 virus" or the "virus responsible for COVID-19". COVID19 refers to the disease caused by the virus.

Are animals responsible for COVID-19 in humans?

Human-to-human transmission appears to be the predominant route of COVID-19 transmission.

Current evidence suggests that the COVID-19 virus has an animal source. Ongoing research is important to identify the animal source and determine the potential role of an animal reservoir in this disease. However, to date there is insufficient scientific evidence to identify this source or explain the route of transmission from an animal source to humans. Bats, snakes and pangolins have been blamed most often in this regard.

Genetic sequence data show that the COVID-19 virus is a close relative of another CoV circulating in Rhinolophus bat populations. An intermediate host may have played a role in the transmission of this virus to humans.

Are there precautions that should be taken with live animals or animal products?

Although the origin of the COVID-19 virus remains uncertain, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends, as a general precaution, that general hygiene measures be followed when visiting live animal or animal product markets. These include regular handwashing with soap and water after touching animals and animal products, avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth, and avoiding contact with sick animals or rotten/spoiled animal products. Contact with other animals living on the streets and in the wild (for example, stray cats and dogs, rodents, birds and bats) should be avoided. Precautions should be taken to avoid contact with animal waste and fluids on the ground or on the surfaces of shops and market facilities.

The WHO's standard recommendations to prevent the spread of infection include regular handwashing, covering the mouth and nose with the elbow when coughing and sneezing, and avoiding close contact with anyone showing these or similar signs of respiratory illness. In line with generally effective food safety practices, care should be taken with raw meat, milk or animal organs to prevent potential cross-contamination of raw foods. Meat from healthy farm animals that has been thoroughly cooked is safe to eat.

Based on the information currently available, trade restrictions are not recommended.

What do we know about the COVID-19 virus and pets?

The current spread of COVID-19 occurs through human-to-human transmission. To date, there is no evidence that pets can spread the disease. There is therefore no justification for taking measures concerning pets that could jeopardize their welfare.

The Veterinary Services of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China reported that tests on a dog owned by a person with COVID-19 detected the COVID-19 virus in the dog. Real-time PCR testing detected the presence of genetic material from the COVID-19 virus in the dog. However, the dog showed no clinical signs of the disease.

There is no evidence that dogs play a role in the spread of this human disease or that they become ill. Further studies are needed to understand whether and how different animals might be affected by the COVID-19 virus.

There is no evidence to support restrictions on the movement or trade of pets.

What precautions should owners take when pets or other animals have close contact with people who are ill with or suspected of having COVID-19?

There have been no reports of pets or other animals becoming ill with COVID-19, and there is currently no evidence that they play a significant role in this human disease. However, because animals and humans can share some diseases (known as zoonotic diseases), people who are ill with COVID-19 are advised to limit contact with pets and other animals until more is known about the virus.

Basic hygiene measures should always be followed when handling animals. These include washing hands before and after handling animals, their food and belongings, as well as avoiding kissing them or sharing food.

Where possible, people with COVID-19 should avoid close contact with their pets, and another person should provide care for the animals. If they must care for their pets, they should maintain good hygiene practices and wear a face mask if possible.

What can national veterinary services do for pets?

Public Health Services and Veterinary Services should work together using a One Health approach to share information and conduct a risk assessment when a person reported to have COVID-19 has been in contact with pets or other animals. In the USA, if a risk assessment leads to a decision to test a pet that has been in close contact with a person/owner infected with COVID-19, oral and nasal swab samples are recommended for coronavirus testing (real time PCR). There is not yet such a practice in Türkiye.

In conclusion, we should avoid contact with animals on the streets and in the wild. For now, we do not need to worry about transmitting this disease to our pets. However, although our pets do not appear to contract COVID-19, the novel coronavirus can remain on these animals for anything from a few hours to 1-2 days. We should therefore maintain good hygiene practices and wash our hands frequently, for both our animals and ourselves.

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