SARS-CoV-2 in Namibian Dogs

Abstract

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has focused the attention of researchers, and especially public opinion, on the role of the human-animal-environment interface in disease emergence. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, media reports regarding the role of pets in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused significant concern and social anxiety. Although nowadays proven negligible in developed countries, essentially no studies have been performed in low-income African areas where companion animals are often raised differently from high income countries, and the contact patterns occurring in these scenarios could affect the epidemiological scenario. An extensive molecular biology survey was performed from March 2022 to September 2022 on Namibian dogs residing in urban and rural areas, showing a low but not negligible SARS-CoV-2 prevalence (1%; 95CI: 0.33–2.32%) of 5 out of 500. In only one instance (i.e., a 4-year-old female Labrador) was there a clear association that could be established between the infections of the owner and animal. In all other cases, no evidence of human infection could be obtained and no episodes of COVID-19 were reported by the owners. Although no consistent evidence of pet-to-pet transmission was proven in the present study, a cautionary principle suggests intensive and dedicated investigation into companion animal populations, especially when animal contact is frequent and a particularly susceptible population is present.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant (B.1.617.2) in Domestic Dogs and Zoo Tigers in England and Jersey during 2021

“…It is also noted that the regulatory requirement for reporting SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals was established in February 2021; therefore, positive cases of domestic cats and dogs that occurred before this time in GB were not required to be reported with onward supply of material to APHA for confirmatory testing, and thus not captured in this report. SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs has been described globally with cases related to close human contact [ 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. A range of disease severity has been seen in dogs naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2 from subclinical [ 41 ] to mild respiratory and digestive clinical signs [ 69 ].…”

Dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulation in Tunisian pediatric population, during successive waves, from March 2020 to September 2022

“…The 369 sequenced samples presented a cycle threshold (CT) cutoff value of less than 33. Both sequencing sites used nearly equivalent sequencing protocols to those previously described ( Chouikha et al, 2022 ; Fares et al, 2021 b; Haddad-Boubaker et al, 2023 ; Molini et al, 2022 ).…”

Perceived Barriers and Intentions to Receive COVID-19 Vaccines: Psychological Distress as a Moderator

“…However, to date, an effective treatment of COVID-19 disease is still not available; thus, almost all countries are dependent on preventative methods to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 10 , 11 ]. Vaccines have been determined as one of the most efficient preventive measures to control the spread of infectious diseases [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The current extensive efforts devoted to vaccine research and development in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are considered unprecedented regarding speed and scale [ 15 ].…”

“…Moreover, although several prior studies have investigated the impacts of negative and positive antecedents on intention/hesitancy to receive COVID-19 vaccines [ 11 , 13 , 14 ], our understanding of the moderation effects of mental health problems, such as psychological distress, on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake is still limited [ 19 ]. Thus, this research aimed to bridge the literature gap by testing the moderation impacts of psychological distress on the paths from perceived clinical and access barriers, self-efficacy, and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccines to intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines.…”