Don’t panic, experts say after COVID-19 animal killings

ABSTRACT

Speed read Studies in Germany and China find pigs, chickens, ducks not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 India food safety authority says chicken eggs, meat safe to eat, after poultry culled in China Expert urges people not to be concerned domestic livestock could become COVID-19 source Animal disease specialists are seeking to calm fears that domestic livestock and pets can spread coronavirus, as lockdowns make protein sources scarce in some lower-income countries. Germany’s national institute for animal health, the Friedrich-Löffler-Institut, is testing the susceptibility of animals to SARS-CoV-2, with final results and analysis expected at the beginning of May. India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority has responded to fears that chickens could spread COVID-19, saying current knowledge indicates that eating eggs and meat is safe, providing general hygiene practices outlined by the World Health Organization and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) are followed.