The belief that the novel coronavirus originated in bats, according to experts, leads the authors of a recent study to see what other members of the animal kingdom may be at risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 and the potential spread of it. virus.
“We identified a large number of mammals that could potentially be infected by SARS-CoV-2 through their ACE2 egg proteins. This may help identify intermediate hosts for SARS-CoV-2 and thereby reduce the chance of a future outbreak of COVID-19, “the researchers said in the study.
CORONAVIRUS CASES DISCOVER A MINKS ON UTAH FARMS, FIRST IN US
The report published this week in the peer-reviewed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) said that a team of researchers studied more than 400 primates, looking at the ACE2 protein, which studies have identified it as the entry point for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to enter the body.
The University of California team, Davis analyzed and predicted the ability of the novel coronavirus to bind to the ACE2 receptors of the animals in the 410 wild species, including 252 mammals, 72 birds, 65 fish , four amphibians and 17 reptiles, according to the study.
Reindeer are among some of the animals found in the high-risk group to become infected by COVID-19, according to a new study. (iStock)
“Only mammals fell into the medium to very high category and only catarrhin primates into the very high category, suggesting that they are at high risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection,” the study authors said in the study. published report. Catarrhine primates typically include orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees.
Some of the animals found in the high-risk group included reindeer, white-tailed deer, Pacific white dolphins, beluga whales, chimpanzees, western lowland gorillas and Rhesus macaques.
Cats, goats, sheep and cows were meanwhile found to be the middle-risk group comprising 57 species, while dogs, horses and pigs among the 40 species were considered in the low-risk category, according to the study.
The researchers suggested that the new coronavirus posed another potential threat to some already endangered populations of the species.
“Among the species we found with the highest risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection are wildlife and endangered species,” the researchers wrote.
The authors of the study warned not to interpret the predictions in the study given the limited data for infections in the examined animals. They stated that the study provides a basis for future research, noting its results “as confirmed by additional experimental data, may lead to the identification of intermediate host species for SARS-CoV-2, leading to the selection of animal models of COVID- 19, and support the conservation of animals both in their own habitats and in human care. ”
DOGS COULD SNIFF CORONAVIRUS IN HUMAN SALIVA, German study finds
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cats, dogs and other animals can be infected with the novel coronavirus.
“Most of these pets became ill after contact with humans with COVID-19,” the federal agency states.
Earlier in the pandemic, several large cats at a New York zoo tested positive for the virus, according to the CDC. More recently, a mink farm was found with SARS-CoV-2.
