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.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; pets suitable animal models; zoonotic potential.

Figure 1

Summary of findings of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in companion animals (including cats, dogs, and ferrets) and farmed minks and reports of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in these animals (25 May 2021) [19]. * Data of dog and cat isolation in the Netherlands are collected from [30,52]; ** Data of dogs isolation in Italy are collected from [27]; *** Data of pet ferrets isolation in Spain are collected from [63]. We certify that we stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in this map.