SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats: assessing their zoonotic potential and role in sustaining the COVID-19 pandemic
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: MRC Centre for Virus Research
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a new coronavirus of animal origin that recently emerged in humans and has spread rapidly across the world. It is likely that SARS-CoV-2 will establish as an endemic virus of humans, which has the potential to lead to infections in animals that live in close proximity to humans. There have been sporadic reports of infections in pet cats in households with COVID-19 patients, which demonstrates that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This means that cats could potentially act as virus reservoirs, or sources of infection for other species. Experimental infections have demonstrated that cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and infected cats are capable of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to other cats. The virus replicates in the respiratory tract and infectious virus can be detected in nasal washes, oropharyngeal and rectal swabs. In addition, traces of the virus have been detected in faeces and occasionally urine. The risk of human-to-cat infection and the potential for the establishment of cats as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 is unknown. In light of recent reports in The Netherlands and Denmark of SARS-CoV-2 jumping from humans into mink, transmitting between mink and then jumping back into humans, further research is warranted to investigate animals that are susceptible to COVID-19, including domestic pets. In this project we will investigate the susceptibility of domestic cats to SARS-CoV-2 infection and their capacity to transmit the virus to cats and other species as the pandemic progresses. A successful cross-species jump of SARS-CoV-2 from humans into cats not only expands the host range of the virus but might also generate an additional source of infections for humans and other species, which would make the elimination of SARS-CoV-2 more complex. Only by assessing the potential of SARS-CoV-2 viruses isolated from cats to infect other species, including humans, will it be possible to effectively gauge and control virus transmission to all potentially susceptible species.
Organisations
Publications
Hosie MJ
(2021)
Anthropogenic Infection of Cats during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.
in Viruses
Hosie MJ
(2021)
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory samples from cats in the UK associated with human-to-cat transmission.
in The Veterinary record
Jones S
(2023)
SARS-CoV-2 in Domestic UK Cats from Alpha to Omicron: Swab Surveillance and Case Reports.
in Viruses
Manali M
(2022)
SARS-CoV-2 Evolution and Patient Immunological History Shape the Breadth and Potency of Antibody-Mediated Immunity.
in The Journal of infectious diseases
Tyson G
(2023)
SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Cross-Variant Antibody Neutralization in Cats, United Kingdom
in Emerging Infectious Diseases
Description | There are two key findings from our research to date, namely: 1. Evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause significant disease in cats. Prior to the project, it was thought that cats in COVID-19 households that became infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed no or only mild clinical signs, including respiratory infections gastrointestinal infection and fever. However, it is possible more severe disease in cats might be caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, since we have noted associations with sudden death in one cat, although a post-mortem examination to exclude other causes of death could not be performed. 2. Evidence that seroprevalence is increasing in cats as new variants of concern emerge. This finding raises the question, are the new variants more likely to be transmitted from infected humans to cats? |
Exploitation Route | Our research will lead to a better understanding of viruses at the animal-human interface. |
Sectors | Healthcare |
URL | https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/weird-news/scots-cat-believed-first-world-26366027 |
Description | Our findings have been used to improve the welfare of cats, and avoided the abandonment of pets. We have allayed the concerns of people who considered that cats might transmit SARS-CoV-2 infection to people. |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Healthcare |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Data discussed at 48th meeting of SAGE in July 2020 |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
Impact | Pets play Ann important role in society, providing mental and physical health benefits to their owners. Our research is important to assess the risk of animals in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, to determine whether it might be important to consider vaccination fo pet animals against SARS-CoV-2 to minimise zoonotic transmission. |
URL | http://www.abcdcatsvets.org/sars-coronavirus-2-and-cats/ |
Description | PhD studentship |
Amount | £90,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Serth and Gates Charitable Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2021 |
End | 09/2024 |
Title | Plasma samples from seropositive cats |
Description | Seropositive plasma samples containing neutralising antibodies against Ancestral, Alpha, Delta and Omicron variants |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Detection of domestic animals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 but no longer testing positive on RT-qPCR |
Description | ABCD guideline on SARS-CoV-2 infection in cats |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Guidelines updated to advise veterinary practitioners how best to advise owners concerned about SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
URL | https://www.abcdcatsvets.org/guideline-for-sars-coronavirus-cov-2-and-cats/ |
Description | Interview for National News |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Our research in this area attracted widespread media coverage, with may interview requests in July 2020 and April 2021- included interviews by Sky News, BBC, STV, BBC Radio, The Guardian, Daily Mail, Huffiington post, Science Media Centre. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
Description | Interview for national radio |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviews for radio and press to discuss SARS-CoV-2 infections in cats |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |