ABSTRACT
The publications on animal coronavirus infections that have the greatest emerging potential, as well as official data from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on cases of animal infection with COVID-19, are analyzed. Like most infectious diseases common to humans, coronavirus infections were first discovered in animals. Due to the increased rate of replication and recombination activity compared to other viruses, mutations occur more often in the genome of coronaviruses, which contribute to the acquisition of new qualities in order to consolidate in the host organism. Examples of cross-species transmission are not only SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, which are dangerous to humans, but also coronaviruses of agricultural and domestic animals, between which there is a genetic relationship. There are several known cases of zoo, wild, domestic, and farm animals displaying symptoms characteristic of COVID-19 and identification of the genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in them. The issue of cross-species transmission of coronavirus infections, in particular the reverse zoonosis of SARS-CoV-2 from animals to humans, is widely discussed. According to the conclusions of many researchers, including OIE experts, there is no direct evidence base for infection of humans with COVID-19 from animals. However, people with suspected COVID-19 and with a confirmed diagnosis are still advised to isolate not only from people but also from animals. A number of methods for specific prevention, diagnosis, and immunization against a wide range of coronavirus infections are being developed at the All-Russia Research Institute for Animal Protection.
ABSTRACT
Coronaviruses have tremendous evolutionary potential, and three major outbreaks of new human coronavirus infections have occurred in the recent history of humankind. In this paper, the patterns of occurrence of new zoonotic coronavirus infections and the role of bioveterinary control in preventing their potential outbreaks in the future are determined. The possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection in companion animals is considered. Diverse human activities may trigger various interactions between animal species and their viruses, sometimes causing the emergence of new viral pathogens. In addition, the possibility of using probiotics for the control of viral infections in animals is discussed.
