UCH project evaluates the possibilities of contagion by Covid-19 from domestic animals

Although the cases of SARS-CoV-2 are in decline, the Ministry of Health warns that it will be a virus that will remain in the population. Considering that currently eight out of 10 Chileans have a pet in their homes, it is necessary to study the possibilities of contagion to animals.

Communications University of Chile.- Seeking to identify new modes of spread of COVID-19, the University of Chile, through its Faculty of Veterinary and Livestock Sciences, is studying the possibilities of contagion of the human virus in animals. Likewise, the investigation will establish the characteristics that infected pets present when they become viral reservoirs.

After the spread of the SARSCoV-2 virus, the health and social crises took position on the world stage, causing more than seven million deaths. At the national level, the Ministry of Health (MINSAL) estimates that to date more than 5,200,000 people have been infected during the last three years and 64,000 have died.

Although the virus primarily attacks humans, There are several cases of infection in animals. For example, in the wild, COVID-19 has been reported in mink, increasing mortality numbers on farms in the United States.

Under this scenario, specialists from the Faculty of Veterinary and Livestock Sciences (FAVET) of the University of Chile, are developing the study “SARSCoV-2 in companion animals: preparation for the near future, evaluating the potential role as viral reservoirs”. The initiative promoted since 2021 has focused on characterizing pets that have been exposed to the virus through their coexistence with humans to identify the probability of infection and its consequences.

being coordinated by the academic FAVET, Víctor Neirastudy no. 1211517 of Fondecyt also has the collaboration of professors Patricio Retamal and Galia Ramirezfrom the same faculty. As well as, students have participated, such as Belen Aguerofrom the PhD in Silvoagricultural and Veterinary Sciences UCH.

Pets as viral reservoirs

According to figures from Protected Pet Program of the Undersecretary of Regional and Administrative Development, in Chile there are about 12 and a half million dogs and cats in homes, reaching 8,306,650 and 4,176,029 respectively. The figure has had an increase of 13% since 2019, according to the Cadem Survey of March 2022being necessary to review the possibilities of contagion of the virus from humans to animals.

“Our pets are not vaccinated against SARSCoV-2, therefore, we do not know how susceptible they may be after an infection or other emerging and/or re-emerging diseases,” explained Professor Ramírez, adding that by living with animals, “both Groups are exposed to a number of pathogens that can be shared or mutually transmitted.

Although worldwide Chile has a low rate of disease transmission between animals and humans thanks to the high vaccination rate, Professor Neira explains that it is necessary to know certain behaviors that “can favor the transmission of the virus. For example, if they share food, if they sleep in the same beds or if they kiss them, which could be instances of risk.”

In this line, Professor Ramírez considers it necessary to “deeper in the dynamics of maintenance and transmission of infectious diseases for the design of control and prevention programs or recommendations.”

To date, the UCH Virology Laboratory has been the only space that has reported cases of animals with Covid-19 in the country, managing to trace more than 100 positive cases in dogs and cats. Despite this, specialists explain that there may be cases that have not been identified, prevention being key.

“The main recommendation is that, in the event of a Covid-19 contagion, close contact with the pet should be avoided for a period of up to seven days, avoiding giving food scraps and sleeping with them,” said Neira.

investigative projections

According to Professor Neira, the research, which has collaborated with government institutions and the Veterinary Medical College, has carried out “an exhaustive search for cases, so that in the short term it will be possible to generate conclusive notions of the impact of the virus on the national animals”.

For this year they hope to “generate a manual for people with pets who have a case of the virus. In this way we will prevent diseases from being transmitted to the species. We want to protect animals with education and teach certain behaviors that are wrong,” said Professor Patricio Retamal.

Finally, Professor Neira concluded that “it is necessary to continue the study of SARSCoV-2 in wildlife. For example, in the United States, the virus has established itself in wild populations of deer, confirming that it is capable of returning to the wild, where new variants can potentially be generated. On the other hand, the introduction of Avian Influenza reaffirms that we must continue studying zoonotic diseases, in order to have sufficient data to support prevention strategies in humans and animals”.

For more information about the project, visit the news prepared by FAVET: https://uchile.cl/v170177