company news about The number of animals that can be infected with COVID is growing, including pets

The number of animals that can be infected with COVID is growing, including pets

As the battle against COVID-19 and its variants continues, there is growing evidence that a wide variety of animals are also susceptible to this new coronavirus.

Cats, dogs and hamsters are some of the most popular household pets that can be infected with COVID-19. According to a list in The Atlantic Monthly, animals such as lions, hippos, hyenas, tigers, mink, opossums, squirrels and rats can also.

In an interview with Atlantic Monthly reporter Yasmin Tayag, University of Sydney biologist Edward Holmes said, "In my more than 30 years of research on this subject, I have never seen a virus that can infect so many animal species." He said that more than 500 other mammals are believed to be "highly susceptible.

According to the article, "U.S. zoo staff found one positive case in a beaver, long-nosed raccoon, cougar, domestic ferret, fishing cat, bobcat, mandrill and squirrel monkey." The article adds that among wildlife in the United States, only mink, mule deer and white-tailed deer have been tested positive for COVID-19. "Cases have also been found in wild black-tailed marmots, big hairy armadillos and leopards in other parts of the world."

Interspecies transmission?

In addition to the risk of exposure, interspecies transmission increases the risk of additional mutations.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that while pets, including cats and dogs, have been infected with the virus "primarily after close contact with people with COVID-19," the risk of COVID-19 transmission from pets to humans is actually very small.

A study published in December 2022 in the journal Veterinary Medicine and Science reported that domestic cats in close contact with COVID-19-positive owners became infected with COVID-19 when the delta and omicron variants were transmitted, suggesting that the cats were infected from their owners and that infected individuals should "during COVID-19 disease The authors suggest that cats are infected from their owners and that infected individuals should "limit close contact with their pets as soon as possible during COVID-19 disease.

However, an Oxford University report published in SciTechDaily states that "having a cat or dog as a pet does not affect the risk of infection and has little to no significant positive effect on someone's risk of experiencing a serious course of disease."

Last year, an outbreak of a series of new coronavirus infections in a Hong Kong pet store prompted the government to ban the import of hamsters. That ban has just been lifted, according to the BBC. The article said local officials test hamsters before selling them because "studies have found that the animals can contract the virus and pass it on to humans." But it also notes that "there is no clear evidence that pets can easily transmit the infection to humans."

What to do and what not to do

There are steps that people who are concerned about their pets contracting COVID-19 can take to prevent it. But there are also some things you should never do.

Don't muzzle your pet because that could harm the animal.

Never wipe your pet down with disinfectant, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, hand sanitizer, etc., because that can also hurt your pet. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "there is no evidence that this virus can be transmitted to humans through the skin, fur or hair of pets."

If you are infected with COVID-19, treat your pets like you would treat the people in your life - avoid contact.

COVID symptoms in pets

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that most pets do not show symptoms, and of those that do become infected, "most have only mild illness and recover fully." It is extremely rare for a pet to develop a serious illness."

Although uncommon, some of the symptoms pets may exhibit are very similar to those of humans infected with COVID-19, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, lethargy, sneezing, runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea. The health agency recommends that your pet also undergo telemedicine if it is available, as owners who have contracted COVID-19 themselves should not have to take their pets to the veterinarian in person.