SARS-CoV-2 in animals

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), the pathogenic agent of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), has caused more than 400 million cases and more than 5 million deaths worldwide. Current transmission of COVID-19 is from human to human;but in turn, several animal species were reported to be susceptible to SARSCoV- 2 infection, both experimentally and naturally. Natural infections in dogs and cats by SARS-CoV-2, acquired from humans with COVID-19, have occurred in numerous countries. However, at present, the natural circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic and wild animals is limited. The strategic approach of "One Health" allow the study of human-animal-environment interfaces to understand the consequences of SARS-CoV-2 spread in new host populations, being essential to maintain epidemiological surveillance in animals.