I'm sorry, what? Sars-CoV-2 could be caused by a coronavirus in dogs?
A fact check: The WHO has confirmed this, experience also confirms it. Humans have been living closely with dogs for a very long time, and there has never been a report of corona viruses that can affect dogs spreading to humans. This is because the “hosts” are too different and so are the viruses.
CANINE CORONOAVIRUS – CCoV
The canine coronavirus can cause intestinal inflammation in dogs. However, it belongs to a different group of viruses than SARS-CoV-2. The coronavirus family can be divided into several subfamilies and genera, some of which are problematic for humans and others not. The Canine Coronavirus (CCoV) has been widespread worldwide for a long time and particularly affects dogs in kennels and puppies. After oral ingestion of contaminated feces, for example, the canine coronavirus attacks the gastrointestinal tract and leads to severe diarrhea and death, especially in dogs with weak immune systems.
THE DIFFERENCE
Dog virus
genus: Alphacoronavirus
SARS-Cov2
Genus: Betacoronavirus
TRANSMISSION DOG – HUMAN?
According to the current state of science – no. The Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs BLV says very clearly: “There are no signs that the virus occurs in dogs or cats. At the same time, there is no evidence that the virus could be transmitted from these pets to humans.”
To date, transmission of the coronavirus from humans to pets, in particular dogs - and vice versa - is not known. In fact, experts say that such a route of infection is unlikely. But the rumors persist. This means that many dog owners are extremely insecure and have had animals abandoned or killed in various countries.
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THE MEDIA BEARS A RESPONSIBILITY
Scientific speculation is not scientific knowledge. If the media does not take this difference into account, then they become jointly responsible for animal suffering.
A HEADLINE IS NOT WORTH LIFE
Some newspapers are now citing research from Canada. The “ Wiener Zeitung ”, for example, writes:
“Xia and his colleagues examined the genetic fingerprint of the coronavirus in various animal species. They come to the conclusion that the pandemic started in dog poop. “Our observations allow for a new hypothesis about the first infection with Sars-CoV-2,” Xia is quoted as saying in a release from the specialist journal “Molecular Biology and Evolution”: “The previous version of Sars-CoV-2 and the related bat coronavirus infected the intestines of canids, which may have led to rapid evolution of the virus in wild dogs, allowing it to later spread to humans." ...when he was studying canine coronaviruses (CCoVs), which cause highly contagious intestinal diseases in dogs, he discovered that the CpG values are very similar to those in Sars-CoV-2 and BatCoV RaTG13. In dogs, the virus also enters the cell via the same receptor, ACE-2, as in humans, which is also found in the intestine. Xia believes that the two coronaviruses in bats and humans originated from a coronavirus in dogs that lived in the 1960s.”
SIMILAR IS NOT “SAME”
Coronaviruses are not unknown in the animal kingdom; pets also have coronaviruses, but different ones. Any vet can explain this very quickly and very easily. If dog owners are unsettled by a single publication, they are recommended to speak to their trusted veterinarian. He can explain to you exactly why canine coronaviruses are not a problem for humans.
SPECULATIONS OF THIS KIND KILL
Because of this hysteria, street dogs were hunted in China, Egypt and other countries.
The animals were killed, sometimes in extremely cruel ways. It is to be hoped that Europe is more civilized and does not take comparable measures. The media has a great responsibility in this regard. It is not their job to contribute to the uncertainty. One should therefore not overvalue a single publication, but rather put it in a reasonable perspective. Even more so when this publication refers to a dog that lived 60 years ago.
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SHOULD YOU BE AFRAID OF DOGS?
No, you don't have to, neither in front of your own dog on the sofa nor in front of street dogs. A field trial lasting 60 years shows that dogs have nothing to do with SARS-CoV-2. Canine Corona never spread to humans during this time. To date, dogs have not played a role as an intermediate host or vector in any epidemic. Neither with SARS nor with MERS. Dogs and humans may be emotionally close, but they are too different to promote zoonoses.
This content was created in collaboration with DOGnews and Veterinary Practice AnkeMeeuw !
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AGES: Can the virus be transmitted by pets?
There is currently no evidence that pets can transmit the virus to people or other pets or become ill with it themselves. Detections of the virus in two dogs and a cat in Hong Kong, a cat in Belgium and a tiger in a New York zoo are still considered isolated cases. To protect the animal, pet owners who are sick with the coronavirus or who may have been infected with the coronavirus should keep contact as low as possible or wash their hands thoroughly with soap before and after contact.
Sources and other articles on this topic:
- New coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: Fruit bats and ferrets are susceptible, pigs and chickens are not
- Can the virus be transmitted by pets?
- Disinfect dogs and cats because of Corona? Please don't!
- New findings regarding corona infections in dogs and cats
- Coronavirus / COVID 19 – Quarantine: What dog owners should know now
Article image: Shutterstock / By Eder
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )