Exposure of humans or animals to SARS-CoV-2 from wild, livestock, companion and aquatic animals. Qualitative exposure assessment

This work describes of the risk of human or animal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 through contact with, handling or consumption of wild, domestic and aquatic animal species or their products;current knowledge gaps regarding the zoonotic origin or animal-human spillover of SARS-CoV-2 and recommendations for priority studies;evidence for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility of different animal species;evidence-based recommendations on how to prioritize animal species for targeted field investigations or research studies and recommendations for targeted One Health investigations and epidemiological, laboratory, anthropological or seasonality studies to fill critical knowledge gaps. Understanding the risk of exposure of humans or animals to SARS-CoV-2 from animals and their products is essential for containing virus spread, prioritizing research, protecting food systems and informing national One Health investigations and mitigation measures.

Viewpoint: Sars-cov-2 (the cause of covid-19 in humans) is not known to infect aquatic food animals nor contaminate their products

This paper is in response to the need for clear communication regarding the risk of transmission of the novel Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 in humans and the general societal concern of potential contamination, of aquatic animals used as food or their products, with the virus. SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the family Coronaviridae and genus Betacoronavirus. Betacoronaviruses are only reported to infect mammals. Currently there is no evidence to suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can infect aquatic food animals (e.g. finfish, crustaceans, molluscs, amphibians) and therefore these animals do not play an epidemiological role in spreading COVID-19 to humans. Aquatic food animals and their products, like any other surface, may potentially become contaminated with SARS-CoV-2, especially when handled by people who are infected with the virus. Nevertheless, with proper food handling and sanitation, the likelihood of contamination of aquatic animals or their products with SARS-CoV-2 should be negligible. The COVID-19 pandemic may negatively affect livelihoods, food security and nutrition for populations that rely on aquatic animals as a source of food or income. On a positive side, however, COVID-19 outbreaks may lead to an increase in local community utilization of aquatic food animals or their products due to limited transportation or limited supplies of alternative sources of animal proteins. © Asian Fisheries Society.