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Review
. 2022 Dec;33(4):466-476.
doi: 10.1007/s13337-022-00794-8. Epub 2022 Nov 10.

SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns in animals: An unmonitored rising health threat

AbdulRahman A Saied  1   2 , Asmaa A Metwally  3
Affiliations
Review

SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns in animals: An unmonitored rising health threat

AbdulRahman A Saied et al. Virusdisease. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Recent findings have highlighted the urgency for rapidly detecting and characterizing SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in companion and wild animals. The significance of active surveillance and genomic investigation on these animals could pave the way for more understanding of the viral circulation and how the variants emerge. It enables us to predict the next viral challenges and prepare for or prevent these challenges. Horrible neglect of this issue could make the COVID-19 pandemic a continuous threat. Continuing to monitor the animal-origin SARS-CoV-2, and tailoring prevention and control measures to avoid large-scale community transmission in the future caused by the virus leaping from animals to humans, is essential. The reliance on only developing vaccines with ignoring this strategy could cost us many lives. Here, we discuss the most recent data about the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) among animals and humans.

Keywords: COVID-19; Deer; Hamster; Jumping back; Mice; Mutations; Omicron; SARS-CoV-2; Variants of Concern; Wild animals.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors declare that no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Omicron variant and mouse origin hypothesis.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Examples of VOCs transmission among humans and other animals Evidence of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns from humans to close animals like pets and zoo animals was reported. In addition, some animals were shown their ability to transmit SARS-CoV-2 and its variants to humans. Mark (?) refers to that the suspected animals in the transmission of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variant are pangolin and mice, respectively
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