What animals suffer COVID-19 and why |National Geographic National Geographic National Geographic

Ngozi and Kibo, 22 and 23, developed cough, lethargy and nasal dripping at their home in November.It was soon concluded that their current symptoms were signs of a worldwide first: these residents of the Denver Zoo (in Colorado, United States) became the first hyenas of the world infected by the Sars-Cov-2 virus that causes the COVID-19.

The milestone, almost 20 months after the pandemic began, is part of a pattern detected in recent months.On October 6, a Binturong (or "Gato Osuno") and a fisherman cat positively gave in the Chicago Zoo, followed a week later by a Coatí (or Nasúa).On December 5, two hippos from a Belgian zoo were victims of the disease.All were the first of their species in contracting the virus.

Now they are part of a group of 315 animals of 15 species in the United States to which the presence of SARS-COV-2 has been confirmed.The list also includes cats, dogs, tigers, lions, snow leopards, gorillas, otters, a puma, a ferret and white tail deer (infected minks, almost all of fighting farms, are not included in the total).

What do we know about what animals can the virus contract?And what does this suppose for them -and for us -?

(Related: pets help us cope with pandemic, but this could be stressing them).

Are certain more susceptible animals?

These cases have mainly affected carnivores (carnivores belong to an order of mammals that includes wild and domestic cats, dogs and wolves, bears and other.Carnivore is a generic term for any animal that feeds mainly of meat).

The hyenas, the Binturong, the Coatí and the fisherman cat are all carnivorous, as well as the domestic cats and the great felines, which have positively given from the beginning of the pandemic.

This does not necessarily mean that carnivores are more susceptible: there are still not enough data to submit them to analysis, says Elizabeth Lennon, veterinarian of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania (United States).

However, the story is different with the great felines.According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 90 have tested positive in the country."I think that if the general panorama is observed in all zoos, it can be said sure that there is greater susceptibility to clinical disease in large felids," says Lennon.

Some species are more susceptible to certain variants

Let's take mice as an example.They avoided the original Sars-COV-2 virus, but we know they can infect the beta variant.

As variants arise in humans, the virus could be expanding its range of guests, mutating to infect more species and potentially circulating "silent" between them, creating a new reservoir, says Diego Diel, associate professor and director of the director of the director of theVirology Laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Cornell (United States).

But the opposite is also true: it is possible that new variants are harmless to certain species, says Diel, because "as the virus becomes more effective in transmission between humans, it can be less effective in movement between animals."

For now, there is no evidence that, with the exception of the vision, no species, including pets, can transmit the virus to humans, or that variants have emerged after mutating in another species.

Most animals do not seem seriously ill of Covid-19

Most animals in the US.UU.-Incluid the hyenas Ngozi and Kibo- they have only had mild symptoms and they have recovered completely.

The most serious cases have occurred in snow and minks leopards.In the Children's Zoo of Lincoln, in Nebraska (United States), three snow leopards died in November due to complications of the COVID-19.It is not clear if they had underlying diseases.And thousands of minks have died in 17 peleteras farms from Utah and other states.Millions have been subjected to euthanasia in Denmark and the Netherlands.

Buddy, the first dog that tested positive in Covid-19 in the USA.UU., he died in July, but he is likely to have a lymphoma, which, according to experts, may have influenced.

Covid-19's study of animals imports

"As soon as there is more than one species that can maintain and transmit a virus, this has important implications in control strategies and also in prevention," says Diell.That is why it is crucial to find out if any species can become a virus reservoir.

"Animals pose different and unknown risks," says Lennon."It is certainly important that surveillance in many different species continues, because the virus is widespread", which increases exposure and transmissibility.

The tests are inclined to animals that have shown signs of disease

The number of animals in the USA.UU.It probably exceeds 315 registered cases, says Diel.If animals do not show symptoms, it is unlikely to be tested, and that hinders the knowledge of possible silent propagators, that is, animals that can contract the virus and transmit it without ever showing symptoms.

The white tail deer is one of the species that scientists are closely watching.This year, a study in which the blood of more than 600 deer in four US states was analyzed.UU.found antibodies against coronavirus in almost 40% of the samples.Last month the COVID-19 was detected in three Quebec (Canada) deer.None of the animals seemed to be sick.

There is no evidence that deer can transmit the virus to humans or other species.But the spectrum of a silent reservoir makes scientists reflect."That's why everyone is so worried about these studies on deer," says Lennon.If a virus spreads silently and even mutates in a large animal population, "it is much more difficult to control and eradicate".

The vast majority of cases detected in zoo animals in the US.UU.They have been notified by accredited facilities that have strict sanitary protocols.

The Bronx Zoo, where the first tigers and lions positiveOf the snows who died, they are members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), an American non -profit organization that establishes norms for the care and safety of animals.

The strictest veterinary protocols of the AZA imply that caregivers are more likely to detect diseases in their animals and perform tests, says Dan Ashe, president of the AZA."They are constantly watching animals," he says."If something does not seem to be well, ask questions".

Standard practices during pandemia include the use of personal protective equipment and minimize close contact with animals, according to veterinarians of several zoos accredited by ODA with positive cases."Our members have taken many protection measures, and we are still seeing infections," says Ashe."So it is difficult to believe that it is not happening in other facilities where contact is much more," says, "liberal,".

What happens in "road" zoos that offer direct contact with animals?

Many road zoos, such as those that appear in Tiger King of Netflix, offer direct contact with animals, especially with lion and tiger puppies, species that are known to be susceptible to virus.These zoos must have a license of the USDA to exhibit animals, but are not accredited by the AZA, which does not allow contact between the great felines and the public.

(Related: the reopening of the 'Tiger King' zoo exposes the great felines to Coronavirus)

The care standards established by the USDA are well below those of the AZA, and the road zoos are known for the lack of veterinary care and security protocols.It is not clear if the great felines of the road zoos or the puppies of puppies have been subjected to virus detection tests or have died because of it.

"I think the risk is greater" in road zoos, says Diel."A requirement for transmission is close contact, and in each situation in which...The number of people who have contact with animals is extended, that increases the risk ".

We need more data, and we must continue studying

Although COVID-19 is mainly a human disease, says Lennon, the growing number of species that is known to be susceptible to virus should be a call for attention."We have to do a lot of surveillance in different species and in new variants" as an omicron, he says."This virus from the beginning has surprised everyone at all times...We cannot lower our guard at any time, since we continue learning again and again ".

How can you help

1. Si eres positivo en COVID-19, aíslate de tus mascotas, igual que lo harías de otros humanos. Si tu mascota parece estar enferma, llama a tu veterinario.
2. Abstente de tocar o acercarte a los grandes felinos en los zoológicos para evitar la propagación del virus. Sabemos que los tigres y los leones son susceptibles al COVID-19 (acariciar a los cachorros también supone otros riesgos para los animales).
3. Vacúnate si aún no lo estás. Está demostrado que la vacunación reduce la propagación de la COVID-19, protegiendo a las personas y a los animales.