New scientific article by JIP COVRIN published in One Health journal, shows that people having COVID-19 can be a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 transmission to their dogs and cats.
In the article, scientists at the Universiteit Utrecht – Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, University of Surrey – School of Veterinary Medicine, and RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment provide a systematic global review of SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence in household dogs and cats.
The authors recommend that global standards are established for SARS-CoV-2 detection in pets. Infection prevalence (estimated as the proportion of infected individuals) from reviewed studies was determined by either molecular or serological methods.
Key findings:
- The 17 studies included in this review were conducted in 12 countries (8 in Europe, 3 in Asia and the USA).
- Most studies reported seroprevalence results.
- Molecular and serological prevalence in screening studies of cat and dog populations was generally below 5%.
- Prevalence exceeded 10% when pets were exposed to known COVID-19-positive owners.
This suggests transmission between species, with people having COVID-19 being a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 transmission to their dogs and cats.
Guo, R., Wolff, C., Prada, J., & Mughini-Gras, L. (2023). When COVID-19 sits on people’s laps: A systematic review of SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence in household dogs and cats. One Health. 16, 100497.
Read this research article here.
Find out more about JIP COVRIN.
