UNIVERSITY PARK — Farmers and pet owners who may be concerned that they can contract COVID-19 from domestic animals — such as livestock, dogs and cats — have little to worry about, according to a virologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
Public concerns arose after the Bronx Zoo announced this week that a tiger had tested positive for the novel coronavirus that is sweeping the country. But Suresh Kuchipudi, clinical professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences, pointed out that the tiger is thought to have been infected by an asymptomatic zoo employee who since has tested positive for COVID-19.
“There is no evidence to date that animals, especially pets and other domesticated animals, are a source of the novel coronavirus,” said Kuchipudi, who also is associate director of Penn State’s Animal Diagnostic Laboratory.
There have been limited reports of the new coronavirus — known as SARS-CoV-2 — infecting dogs in Asia, but the Bronx Zoo tiger is the only such positive test result reported to date by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory, he noted.
“The few reports of animals testing positive are believed to be cases where the animals got the virus from close contact with infected humans, and so far there is no evidence to believe that animals can transmit it back to people,” he said.
This, despite the fact that the COVID-19 virus is thought to have originated in bats and to have evolved to infect and spread among humans, Kuchipudi explained.
“RNA viruses, such as coronaviruses and influenza viruses, do go through mutations when reproducing, and these mutations can be cumulative. This evolution and the ability of viruses to jump from an animal reservoir into humans generally takes a very long period of time,” he said.
“And based on the best scientific information we have, there is no need for concern that pets and other domestic animals will pass this virus to people.”
Nevertheless, Kuchipudi cites guidance from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to further reduce any risk to animals or people:
— If you are sick with COVID-19, restrict contact with pets and other animals, just as you would with other people. Although there have been no reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19 in the United States, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets.
— If you think your animal has the virus, call your veterinary clinic with any questions about your animal’s health. To ensure the veterinary clinic is prepared for the household animal, the owner should call ahead and arrange the hospital or clinic visit. Make sure to tell your veterinarian if your animal was exposed to a person sick with COVID-19 and if your animal is showing any signs of illness.
Pets have other types of coronaviruses that can make them sick, such as canine and feline coronaviruses. These other coronaviruses cannot infect people and are not related to the current COVID-19 outbreak.
— Although there is no reason at this time to think that any animals, including pets, in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus, animals can spread other diseases to people. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to practice healthy habits around pets and other animals, such as washing your hands and maintaining good hygiene.
