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The cat family, including cats and tigers, are susceptible to the new coronavirus and the first they can pass it on to others of the same species, confirmed today a specialist in zoonosis and food diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO), Peter Ben Embarek.
“So far studies indicate that cats, cats and even tigers are a group of animals susceptible to the virus, and that cats can also transmit the disease to other cats, ”said the expert in a virtual press conference from the WHO headquarters in Geneva.
A tiger was infected in a New York zoo, to which is added that in Spain, the first case of a cat that had contracted the SARS-Cov-2 virus has just been confirmed, causative of the disease COVID -19, which adds up to six cases in the world. The animal was already experiencing other health problems and was a pet of a family in which several members had been infected.
Ben Embarek said that dogs would also be somewhat susceptible to coronavirus, but to a lesser extent than cats.
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In the area of animals raised for human consumption, the specialist said that pigs and poultry “do not appear to be susceptible to the virus, which is good news due to the close contact that the human being has with them and the amounts that are raised in the world ”.
Numerous studies in different parts of the world inquire about which animal species can contract and transmit the coronavirus, since this would give clues about the animal that transmitted it to the human being.
The scientific consensus that the WHO has insisted on several times in recent weeks is that SARS-CoV-2 It has a natural origin and that its “reservoir” -like that of several other types of coronaviruses- are bats.; which, however, does not affect.
Determining whether animal species that are in close and constant contact with humans (such as pets or farm animals) is also important to prevent more animals from becoming new natural “reservoirs” and infecting humans in the future.
Meanwhile, knowing with certainty which animal played the role of “intermediary” between the bat and man in the current crisis is essential “To prevent this situation from repeating months or years later”.
In the 2003 SARS pandemic (another coronavirus) it has been established that the “intermediary” was the Siberian cat.
Ben Embarek assured that the new coronavirus only has “affinity” with certain animals: “Cannot, at all, invade anything it touches or moves”.
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On the geographical origin of the pandemic, the WHO expert said that until now it is known that Wuhan Wildlife Market “Either Originated or Had an Amp Role” of the virus.
The first severe cases of COVID-19 were detected in December in people who had a relationship with that market.Either because they frequented it or because they worked there.
It is also to be determined if the transmission of the coronavirus occurred from an infected animal to a person or if an individual who already carried the virus spread it there in contact with others in an environment of overcrowded and lacking in hygiene, as was the case of that market, which is currently closed.
The pandemic has brought to light the existence of this type of supply centers, not only in China, but in many countries of the world, and the need for them to comply with essential hygiene and safety measures.
This includes good management of waste, the transit of people and goods, the separation between live animals and animal products, as well as between these and the areas where fruits and vegetables are sold.
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