Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant (AY.127) from pet hamsters to humans, leading to onward human-to-human transmission: a case study

Spreading of SARS-CoV-2 from hamsters to humans

“…Medical associations in multiple countries have challenged the validity of "excited delirium" as a cause of death, including the Royal College of Pathologists in the UK, the American Medical Association, and the American Psychiatric Association. [4][5][6] How has "excited delirium" come to be accepted by members of the medical, legal, and law enforcement communities? A new report from Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), "Excited Delirium" and Deaths in Police Custody: The Deadly Impact of a Baseless Diagnosis, 7 published on March 2, 2022, to which we contributed, traces the genesis of "excited delirium", presents an evaluation of the relevant medical literature, and explores current views and applications of this concept.…”

SARS-ANI: A Global Open Access Dataset of Reported SARS-CoV-2 Events in Animals

“…SARS-CoV-2 is recognized as a generalist coronavirus 4 , showing a great capacity for infecting multiple animal species 5 , including pets, e.g. dogs 3,6,7 , cats 6,8,9 , and Syrian hamsters 10 ; zoo animals 11 , e.g. gorillas (https://www.science.org/content/article/captive-gorillas-test-positive-coronavirus), lions 12–14 , tigers 12,14 , mountain lion 13 , and Asian small-clawed otter (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2021/sa-04/covid-georgia-otters); farmed animals, e.g.…”

“…Additional spillback events from humans to animals may have occurred in the past two years although as yet undetected 25 . Recently, animal-to-human transmissions were observed from farmed mink 16 , pet hamster 10 , and possibly free-ranging white-tailed deer 26 . These secondary spillovers resulted in the mass culling of mink 27 and occasionally led to subsequent human-to-human transmission 10 .…”

“…Recently, animal-to-human transmissions were observed from farmed mink 16 , pet hamster 10 , and possibly free-ranging white-tailed deer 26 . These secondary spillovers resulted in the mass culling of mink 27 and occasionally led to subsequent human-to-human transmission 10 . Not only does SARS-CoV-2 represent a risk for public health, but it is also a threat for animal health and welfare as well as conservation 28,29 .…”

“…need for testing pets/captive animals in contact with COVID-19 diagnosed owners/caretakers; types of samples and tests to be performed). Furthermore, the data can provide practical advice for the international trade in domestic and farmed species, for which a role in human infections has been recognized 10 . Finally, the data can be used to develop and adapt national or global One Health prevention, preparedness and response plans for emerging coronavirus diseases and assist public health officers in their task.…”