THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FROM A VETERINARIAN'S PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT

Used to treating epizooties as well as to coronavirus-related diseases in animals, veterinarians have not been surprised by the course followed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Avian infectious bronchitis was the first Coronavirus disease identified. Fifty years later, vaccines failed to prevent waves of coronavirus gastroenteritis in swines. The disease came under control after a very contagious but less pathogenic variant triggered collective immunity in animal husbandries. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines effectively prevent Covid-19-induced complications, but much lesser so variant-related infections;hence, safety procedures had to be maintained. 'Russian' influenza's pathogen, in fact, could well be a bovine ancestor of betacoronavirus OC43 which, nowadays, induces common colds in humans. Could it be the same scenario occurring with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant? Preventing spillovers from new animal reservoirs to humans will require a closer collaboration between of healthcare providers and experts as well as environmental specialists, the One Health approach. Copyright © 2022 Academie Veterinaire de France. All rights reserved.