Future Science OA (Aug 2021)

No detection of SARS-CoV-2 in animals exposed to infected keepers: results of a COVID-19 surveillance program

  • Pellegrino Cerino,
  • Carlo Buonerba,
  • Gianfranco Brambilla,
  • Luigi Atripaldi,
  • Maria Tafuro,
  • Denise Di Concilio,
  • Lucia Vassallo,
  • Gabriella Lo Conte,
  • Maria Concetta Cuomo,
  • Ivana Maiello,
  • Jacopo D'Auria,
  • Davide Cardinale,
  • Maurizio Viscardi,
  • Giuseppe Rofrano,
  • Alfonso Gallo,
  • Pasquale Brusco,
  • Antonio Pizzolante,
  • Vittorio Cicalese,
  • Pio Galdi,
  • Lydia Galdi,
  • Sabato De Vita,
  • Palmiero Volzone,
  • Gabriele Di Vuolo,
  • Annachiara Coppola,
  • Biancamaria Pierri,
  • Giovanna Fusco

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2144/fsoa-2021-0038
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 7

Abstract

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SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has rarely been associated with transmission from humans to animals (reverse zoonotic transmission). In this retrospective study, the authors reviewed data obtained from 236 animals, including buffaloes, goats/sheep, horses, carrier pigeons, rabbits, hens, snakes, pigs and cows that were screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection because they had been in contact with their SARS-CoV-2-positive breeder for at least 2 weeks. None of the tested animals were found to be positive. The authors' findings suggest that the risk of reverse zoonotic transmission among bred animals and SARS-CoV-2-positive breeders is very low or nonexistent. Additional studies are warranted.

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