SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in dogs and cats in the United Kingdom
SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in dogs and cats in the United Kingdom
SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in dogs and cats in the United Kingdom
Published 27 September 2021
Smith, S.L. et al (2021) SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in dogs and cats in the United Kingdom. Current Research in Virological Science, 2, p. 100011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crviro.2021.100011
This paper reports on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in residual sera from dogs and cats whose blood was submitted to diagnostic laboratories for routine diagnostic testing. Sera collected pre Covid and during the “first wave” (March and April 2020) all tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies.
Sera from 4/287 (1.4%) dogs and 2/90 (2.2%) cats collected during the “second wave” (Sept 2020-Feb 2021 for dogs and Jan2021 for cats) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies.
The authors concluded that based on the low numbers of animals testing positive pet animals are unlikely to be a major reservoir for human infection in the UK. However, continued surveillance of in-contact susceptible animals should be performed as part of ongoing population health surveillance initiatives.
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