Clinical and epidemiologic features of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs and cats compiled through national surveillance in the United States

OBJECTIVE: To characterize clinical and epidemiologic features of SARS-CoV-2 in companion animals detected through both passive and active surveillance in the US. ANIMALS: 204 companion animals (109 cats, 95 dogs) across 33 states with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections between March 2020 and December 2021. PROCEDURES: Public health officials, animal health officials, and academic researchers investigating zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 transmission events reported clinical, laboratory, and epidemiologic information through a standardized One Health surveillance process developed by the CDC and partners. RESULTS: Among dogs and cats identified through passive surveillance, 94% (n = 87) had reported exposure to a person with COVlD-19 before infection. Clinical signs of illness were present in 74% of pets identified through passive surveillance and 27% of pets identified through active surveillance. Duration of illness in pets averaged 15 days in cats and 12 days in dogs. The average time between human and pet onset of illness was 10 days. Viral nucleic acid was first detected at 3 days after exposure in both cats and dogs. Antibodies were detected starting 5 days after exposure, and titers were highest at 9 days in cats and 14 days in dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of the present study supported that cats and dogs primarily become infected with SARS-CoV-2 following expo- sure to a person with COVID-19, most often their owners. Case investigation and surveillance that include both people and animals are necessary to understand transmission dynamics and viral evolution of zoonotic diseases like SARS-CoV-2.

The animal keeping culture and the motivation of animal keepers in Hungary

Background: In the past few decades the animal keeping culture and habits have changed a lot internationally, some animals have become family members. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented situation in the world, including Hungary. In many places, the quarantine period was associated with Isolation and, therefore, an increase in the number of companion animals. Objectives: Our aims were to (1) survey the animal keeping culture and habits, (2) examine the motivation of the owners and (3) explore the attitudes about adoption, neutering, breeding and the use of livestock animals in Hungary. Materials and Methods: Specialized surveys were conducted among 843 persons through social media and personal interviews from 20 June to 30 August 2021 by using a questionnaire including 16 questions. The chosen groups were compared with Fisher's Exact test and Chi-square test. Results and Discussion: 97.0% of the respondents regard their dog as a family member. Nearly 25% of the respondents do not wish to neuter their dogs, because they want to breed the dogs or they find it unnecessary. The primary reason for cat keepers not to neuter their pet is the financial issue. Animal keepers and women are significantly more likely to consider their animal as a family member (p < 0.001). Men, the elderly, people who live in the countryside and those who have only elementary education think that neutering is of less importance (p < 0.001). Non-animal keepers, elderly people and men think more negatively about adoption. Buying an animal from a breeder is more important to the younger age groups (p < 0.001) arid those who live in Budapest (p < 0.01). 42.3% of the respondents gave the lowest evaluation scores to the assessment of the livestock units. Women, people from younger age groups (p < 0.05) and those who have higher education (p < 0.001) think more negatively about the use of farm animals. Non-animal keepers, the elderly and people of lower education consider the livestock animals' emotional intelligence lower (p < 0.05). Men (p < 0.001), people over 65 years of age (p < 0.001) and of lower education (p < 0:01), and also non-animal keepers (p < 0.001) accept significantly easier the use of livestock animals.

Infectious disease Roundup 2022

This paper describes the epidemiology, prevalence, transmission, prevention and control of some infectious diseases in companion animals, livestock, wild animals and humans in Ontario, Canada, in 2022, including SARS-CoV-2;Echinococcus multilocularis, Leishmania spp. and SARS-CoV-2;antimicrobial stewardship resources;2 cases of rabid dogs imported from Iran (July 2021 and January 2022);prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriacea, Dirofilaria immitis, Brucella canis, canine parainfluenza and adeno- and herpes viruses in dogs recently imported from Asia;Paragonimus kellicotti lung flukes and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in dogs;African swine fever in pet pigs, backyard pigs and wild pigs and blastomycosis in dogs and humans.

Possession of exotic animals and zoonotic diseases: an approach from the Mexican context

The possession of exotic animals as pets is a social practice that has become more visible in Mexico in recent years, so it is interesting to understand its environmental and social implications and those related to human health. The present study aims to identify the main species of exotic animals kept as pets and the zoonotic diseases reported in these species. We analyzed official figures of seizures of exotic fauna in Mexico and reviewed specialized literature on zoonotic diseases documented in Mexico in these species. We identified zoonoses in species of fauna that can be acquired legally and illegally in the country, reported in environments in which animals coexist with other species and are in direct contact with people, which represents an important factor in the spread and propensity of this type of disease. We conclude that the sanitary regulation of wildlife markets, the monitoring and studying microorganisms associated with wildlife are valuable strategies to prevent the emergence of zoonoses.

TerraVet: A Mobile and Web Application Framework for Pet Owners and Veterinary Clinic

The lives of pet animals are equally essential as how a human life. Pet owners and the veterinarian are responsible for providing good welfare for pets despite the problems. However, the rise of COVID-19 temporarily disturbs the veterinary services where some of them limit or stop their operations, resulting in the absence and difficulties for the pet owners to locate the available veterinarian, especially when there is an immediate need for treatment, vaccination, or consultation. Aside from that, setting an appointment and buying the pet's needs are seen to be a problem with regards to the situation since most of the pet owners are afraid to go outside because they might be infected with the virus. In line with this, TerraVet: A Mobile and Web Application Framework for Veterinary Clinics and Pet Owners is proposed to resolve the underlying dilemmas in administering and facilitating veterinary care. The main objective of this suggested project is to develop and design a platform where pet owners may locate their nearby veterinarian using the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In addition, the application enables the pet owner to arrange an appointment, product reservation, and online consultation. The veterinary clinic may post details regarding their offered services, products, and medicines. TerraVet will also design an electronic pet card to monitor their health status. © 2022 ACM.

Existence of severe acute respiratory syndrome causing Coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) on aquatic animals and aquatic products: a review

Many pandemic diseases have emerged in the history and millions of people affected from these diseases. Among the marked pandemics in history, the plague, known as the black death, was recorded to cause the death of 17-54% of the world population. Similar to previous pandemics, as the SARS CoV-2, which emerged in 2019 and belonged to the coronavirus family, caused an epidemic and turned into a pandemic infection, positive cases were detected in more than 483 million people, and more than 6.1 million people died. While this emerging epidemic is still continuing its effects, it has been determined that there are positive cases in pets such as dogs and cats, especially in mink (Neovison vison). Especially in Denmark, Netherlands and Finland, positive animals for COVID-19 were accepted. Unlike the pandemic until today, the COVID-19 has spread to broader geographies and affected many animal species. With the reports that the SARS-CoV-2 - was first transmitted from bats to humans, this viral agent has been accepted as zoonotic, but a complete transmission route has not been shown for its transmission from other animals to humans except bats. It is reported that there is no significant risk of transmission of the virus, which is transmitted primarily by the respiratory route, from both pets and edible foods to humans. Although there are many reports in terrestrial animals, studies on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 - in aquatic animals or aquatic environments and COVID-19 transmission in aquatic animals have doubts. Here we reviewed the viability of the SARS-CoV-2 - in the aquatic environment, transmission to the aquatic ecosystem and aquatic animals, and therefore the risks to humans through water or aquatic products.

Possibility analysis of cats and other pets as carriers and spreader of SARS-CoV-2

With the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in China and even the world, people are paying Close attention 10 the source of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Clinical symptoms of being infected, and treatment Options. Whether the new coronavirus Will be transmitted to pets has also lead to discussion and concern. Due to the short period of time, there is a lack of direct research on domestic pets of SARS-CoV-2, so there is no strong evidence that pets can act as intermediate hosts or communicators to spread SARS-CoV-2 in the natural environment. Meanwhile, SARS-CoV-2 share high similarity With SARS-CoV that broke out in 2003 in terms of binding to functional receptors. Therefore, based on the theoretical research of SARS-CoV on this issue, this report analyzes the possibility transmission in animals of SARS-CoV-2, and relevant suggestions and treatment measures are put forward for existing problems. At the same time, further research is needed to prove this possibility.

Infectious disease management in animal shelters

This second edition contains 24 new and updated chapters on aetiology, epidemiology, prevalence, pathogenesis, clinical signs, treatment, prevention and control of infectious diseases in cats, dogs and exotic small companion mammals in animal shelters. These include an introduction to infectious disease management in animal shelters, wellness, data surveillance, diagnostic testing, necropsy techniques, outbreak management, pharmacology, sanitation, canine and feline vaccinations and immunology, canine infectious respiratory disease, canine distemper virus, canine influenza, feline infectious respiratory disease, canine parvovirus and other canine enteropathogens, feline panleukopenia, feline coronavirus and feline infectious peritonitis, internal parasites, heartworm disease, external parasites, dermatophytoses, zoonoses, rabies, feline leukaemia and feline immunodeficiency viruses and conditions in exotic companion mammals (ferrets, rabbits, guineapigs and rodents). It is intended for shelter veterinarians, managers and workers.

Are we in a veterinary workforce crisis?

This article describes the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of pet adoptions, provision and quality of veterinary services, staff working conditions, attitudes and well-being and solutions to address these and other issues in the veterinary profession.

AEEMA MEETING - May 20th, 2021: what changes for the management of animals' health crises? [French]

This special issue contains 14 papers from the AEEMA Meeting focusing on the theme entitled "What changes for the management of animals' health crises". Topics of papers include: the management of animals' health crises and introduction to the meeting;evolution of societies perception and social acceptability of sanitary control measures;evolution of the health governance: to adapt the French health system to the new challenge;new challenges for risk management of animal health;evolution of preparedness for the management of animal disease crisis;feedback from the fipronil crisis;towards bovine tuberculosis eradication in Republic of Ireland, including European badgers' vaccination (a review);management of foot-and-mouth disease in Mauritius and Rodrigues: a vaccine strategy for eradication;health and biodiversity during anthropocene;Covid-19 and wild animals;Covid-19 and companion animals;Covid-19 and farmed animals;Covid-19 and laboratory animals;and Preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission from animals to human beings.

Bacterial, fungal and viral zoonoses of pets

Today, pets are the source of numerous infectious diseases that can be transmitted to humans, as a result of their increasingly frequent contact. The most important viruses with zoonotic potential include rabies and influenza viruses as well as rotaviruses and noroviruses. However, the importance of individual viruses varies depending on the climate and infectious disease control systems in certain countries. Dogs, cats, and other increasingly popular types of pets can transmit bacterial zoonotic agents to humans in various ways. In addition to known pathogens such as the bacteria causing leptospirosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, or brucellosis, the bacteria Pasteurella multocida and Bartonella henselae transmitted by bites or scratches are also significant in human pathology. There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus in isolates originating from pets and the transmission of these strains between humans and animals requires special attention. Furthermore, fungi causing diseases such as sporotrichosis or dermatophytosis are linked to long-term and persistent infections in humans. The epidemiological situation caused by SARS-CoV-2, and the assumption of an interspecies jump of this virus from animals to humans, including its documented presence in domestic cats, dogs, tigers, and martens, have raised the question of the possibility of virus transmission from pets to humans. However, the current pandemic is caused exclusively by SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the human population, and these animals are not a source of infection for humans. A significant number of zoonoses originating from pets is a threat to public health, thus requiring the "One Health" approach through close cooperation between human and veterinary medicine to develop and implement effective health measures for both humans and animals. As part of responsible ownership, pet owners must be informed by veterinarians about measures to prevent infectious diseases and certain risks that are related to keeping certain species of animals.

Quarterly report of investigations of suspected exotic diseases: July to September 2021

Exotic pest and disease investigations are managed and reported by the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI's) Diagnostic and Surveillance Directorate. This article presents a summary of investigations of suspect exotic and emerging pests and diseases in New Zealand during the period from July to September 2021.

A domestic cat with respiratory symptoms caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 infection

A 12-year-old indoor cat showed severe respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, nasal discharge and cough. On Day 5 after disease onset, an oral swab was collected and a real-time RT-PCR test was performed to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), indicating that the sample from the cat was positive for SARS-CoV-2 genes. Since the symptoms worsened on Day 8, a general physical examination, blood tests, chest x-rays and treatment were carried out and oral, nasal and rectal swabs were collected. Mild bronchitis and increased serum amyloid A (SAA) were observed, but it did not lead to pneumonia. In addition, whole-genome analysis revealed that it was the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. Then the cat recovered, and a significant increase of virus-neutralizing antibody titer was observed in the convalescent serum. In conclusion, this is the first report on a cat with respiratory symptoms caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection in Japan.

Gender differences in the coping mechanisms to disruptions brought by COVID-19 pandemic among working adults in the rural Philippines: the case of Visayas State University

The various social restrictions imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus have brought unprecedented disruptions in people's lifestyle. The academic institutions were caught unprepared and had to adjust abruptly. With this, we assessed how working adults in a state university in rural Philippines are coping with the disruptions brought by the pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey on May 18 to 23, 2020 where 133 working adults from the Visayas State University, Leyte, Philippines responded to the survey. Results show that the top most rank coping mechanism for both men and women is doing household chores. Results further suggest that men are more inclined to surfing the net and use social media while women focus more on praying and gardening. Pets are considered as an important companion to cope better with the pandemic. Our results highlight differences in coping mechanisms between working men and women in dealing with the pandemic. Empirical findings suggest that working adults with diversified activities and engaged more in physical activities such as household chores and gardening tend to cope better during lockdowns. In addition, income and access to internet are significant determinants of coping mechanisms. Policy makers and administrators in state university in Philippines may benefit from understanding gender differences in coping with the pandemic and can tailor approaches that may contribute to wellbeing issues among working adults.

A world in forced pause: human relationships with other animals for global welfare

According to physics principles, any action produces a reaction and generates consequences. Under this premise, it is essential to reflect on the actions we have in our relationships with other animals in current times. Our actions always bring implications, in many cases, affecting the welfare of animals, humans, or the planet. A unique virus, COVID-19, caused a pandemic, with more than 50 million cases in 188 countries as of November 2020. Evidence indicates its spread was a consequence of the human relationship with wild animals used for marketing and consumption, generating radical changes in social and economic dynamics, and significantly impacting animals. The lockdowns slowed down daily life, forced stop using vehicles, and reduce our excessive consumption of things. In just a few months, nature has shown that fauna can return to places where it had not been present for decades, the water cleared, the air cleaned, and a kind of natural balance returned. During the forced human quarantine, the outlook for production animals showed the fragility and low resilience of high-density industrialized systems. The excess of animals in contrast to the low number of processing plants (large in size, and therefore fragile when facing a problem like this) resulted in the emergency slaughter of millions of animals on farms. In the case of companion animals, they have suffered collateral damage due to conscious or involuntary relinquishment due to cities' surprise closures;additionally, humans' constant presence at home has generated multiple behavioral problems. For animals in zoos, the situation is also difficult, as visitors' absence reduced incomes;it has put many zoos around the world at risk of closure. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal, environmental, and human welfare is clear. Hence, the objective is to analyze the impact of the pandemic on global welfare.

Review: the epidemiology and zoonotic risks of coronaviruses

The following paper includes a synthesis of bibliographical information regarding the main diseases caused by coronaviruses, both in animals (companion and domestic) as well as in humans, observing the imprevisible tendencies of this viral family. These data are completed by an epidemiological analysis of the main events caused by coronaviruses in humans, using the available databases. Coronaviruses are worldspread entities, producing, in humans and animals, the most diverse diseases, with digestive, respiratory or nervous symptoms in animals, some forms being very serious and with special economic implications and others mild or even clinically unexpressed;in humans, the symptoms are predominantly respiratory, in some cases beginning with digestive signs and the complications that occur may be neurological in nature. Over the years, especially since 2002 (SARS-CoV), continuing with 2012 (MERS) and more recently, from 2019, culminating with SARS-CoV-2, it has been possible to identify the trend of zoonotic transmission (from animal to human), with a particularly high pathogenic potential of these viruses, which have different rates of morbidity and mortality. Another interesting aspect is the fact that cases of anthropozoonotic transmission (from human to animal) have been reported, in the case of pets, but also of fur animals (minks).

Evolutionary analysis of mammalian ACE2 and the key residues involved in binding to the Spike protein revealed potential SARS-CoV-2 hosts

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2) spilled over to humans via wild mammals, entering the host cell using angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as receptor through Spike (S) protein binding. While SARS-CoV-2 became fully adapted to humans and globally spread, some mammal species were infected back. The present study evaluated the potential risk of mammals becoming hosts for SARS-CoV-2 through bioinformatics prediction based on ACE2 receptors.

Viral diseases challenging the canine and feline fauna and prospective methods to trace their onset

Over the last century there has been an alarming increase in the number and diversity of epizootic diseases. Pathogens associated with these diseases may be bacterial, viral or parasitic and can spread by direct contact, food, water and/or environment. Zoonosis can lead to disturbances in the production and trade of animal products. Zoonosis comprise of many newly identified infectious diseases as well as many existing ones ex. Canine distemper virus (CDV). These newly identified and less studied viruses are constantly mutating and is a cause of concern for many virologists and veterinarians. Although, with advancement in science and technology, identification of new or previously unknown viruses has become precise and efficient, however, the need of the hour is to focus on identification of potential pathogenicity of the existing and new viruses for development of cure well in advance, to prevent an onset of endemic or a pandemic like ongoing COVID-19. Furthermore, exercising precautionary measures in addition to development of remedial measures will be like developing a double layered defense system as this will promote healthy practices in handling wild animals, maintaining hygiene in their shelter and routine health checkup of technicians working closely with these animals.