“In practice, after introduction of SARS-CoV-2 in our household, we should see our cat as part of the family regarding virus transmission,” said research study coauthor Wim van der Poel DVM, Ph.D., Professor of Emerging and Zoonotic Viruses, Wageningen University and Research, in the Netherlands.
Van der Poel and associates carried out the research study to get much better insight into the danger of COVID-19 infection that might develop from cats contaminated with SARS-CoV-2. In the research study, 16 cats were either straight exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection obtained from a naturally contaminated human client, exposed indirectly from the straight exposed cat or exposed from the pen in which the contaminated cat was housed. All cats were frequently tested throughout the entire research study. Nasal samples, oropharyngeal samples, blood samples and ecological samples were evaluated for SARS-CoV-2. Blood samples were likewise evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 antibody advancement. Cats were tested for 3 weeks, beginning on the day of direct exposure to the infection. Nasal samples and oropharyngeal samples were taken 3 times throughout this duration. Oral and rectal samples were taken 15 times throughout this duration. Transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 in between cats, through both direct and indirect contact, were examined.
The scientists discovered that cats are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 and contaminated cats can spread out the infection to other cats and into their environment. They discovered that the infected environment can be contagious, however this infectiousness rots quickly.
“SARS-CoV-2 transmission between cats is efficient and can be sustained,” van der Poel said. “Infections of cats via exposure to a SARS-CoV-2-contaminated environment cannot be discounted if cats are exposed shortly after contamination.
The mean duration of infectiousness was a little more than 1/3 of a day. The duration of infectiousness was calculated from the periods that virus was detected in excreta (oral/nasal fluid or feces).
“We did not expose humans to the infectious cats. Our animal handlers were always fully protected,” van der Poel said. “We must assume that cat owners can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 infected cats since these cats excrete infectious virus.”
The scientists said they will continue to study SARS-CoV-2 vulnerability in various animal types and concentrate on infection transmission threats.
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