Humans can pass infection to animals, shows research
NEW DELHI: Two dogs who were reported to have contracted the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) recently likely got the infection from their owners, according to a new research paper that analysed cases in animals in Hong Kong. “An analysis of viral genetic sequences from the dogs showed them to be identical to those in the infected people,” an article on the findings said.
While the paper didn’t study if animal-to-animal transmission could occur, the authors recommended that for precaution, pets belonging to Covid-19 patients be isolated and tested, as is already being done in Hong Kong.
The paper, published in Nature journal, found that two of 15 dogs from households with confirmed human cases of Covid-19 in Hong Kong were found to be infected. These two were a 17-year-old neutered Pomeranian and a 2.5-year-old German Shepherd. They were tested using Reverse Transcription
Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) kits and the virus was later isolated and sequenced.
Canine ACE-2 (an enzyme the Sars-CoV-2 virus uses to enter the body) is similar to the enzyme found in humans. Of 18 amino acids known to be involved in interaction between ACE-2 and the spike receptor binding domain of Sars-CoV-2 (which Sars-CoV-2 uses to bind to its host’s cells), there are five that differ between humans and dogs, the study led by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong said.
“We do not have information
› We don’t have info on whether this virus can cause illness in dogs but no specific signs were seen in either of the infected dogs during the time they were shedding virus. THE PAPER
on whether this virus can cause illness in dogs but no specific signs were seen in either of the infected dogs during the time they were shedding virus,” it said. The Pomeranian died two days after release but very likely due to other underlying diseases. The German Shepherd was kept with a second cross-breed dog but the second dog didn’t get infected.
“There is as yet no evidence for any subsequent animal to animal transmission,” said Abi Tamim Vanak, Fellow, DBT India Alliance Program and senior fellow at Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment.
“But given that high viral loads were found in nasal swabs of infected animals, there is a possibility of onward transmission to other animals. Again, this is only speculative, and it would require experimental challenge studies. If such evidence is found, it will make it harder to control this disease, as many regions of the world have large populations of free-ranging domestic animals, which do not get even basic healthcare,” he added.