https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...g/animals.html
Animals and COVID-19
Updated June 4, 2021
What You Need to Know
- We do not know the exact source of the current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but we know that it originally came from an animal, likely a bat.
- At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to people.
- Based on the available information to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.
- More studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19.
- We are still learning about this virus, but we know that it can spread from people to animals in some situations, especially during close contact.
- People with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should avoid contact with animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife.
On This Page
- Risk of animals spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to people
- Risk of people spreading SARS-CoV-2 to animals
- Animals with reported SARS-CoV-2 infection
- Research on animals and COVID-19
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels, and bats. Some coronaviruses, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, infect only animals and do not infect people.
question icon
Questions about COVID-19 and Animals?
See COVID-19 Pets and Animals Frequently Asked Questions.
Risk of animals spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to people
Some coronaviruses that infect animals can be spread to people and then spread between people, but this is rare. This is what happened with SARS-CoV-2, which likely originated in bats. Early reports of infections were linked to a live animal market in Wuhan, China, but the virus is now spreading from person to person.
SARS-CoV-2 spreads easily from person to person. People who are physically near (within 6 feet) a person with COVID-19 or have direct contact with that person are at greatest risk of infection. At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading SARS-CoV-2 to people. Based on the available information to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low. More studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by SARS-CoV-2.
Top of Page
Risk of people spreading SARS-CoV-2 to animals
The first US case of an animal testing positive for COVID-19 was a tiger at a New York zoo.We are still learning about this virus, but we know that it can spread from people to animals in some situations, especially during close contact.
For information on how to protect pets from possible infection with SARS-CoV-2, see If You Have Pets.
Animals with reported SARS-CoV-2 infection
We know that companion animals like cats and dogs, big cats in zoos or sanctuaries, gorillas in zoos, mink on farms, and a few other mammals can be infected with SARS-CoV-2, but we don’t yet know all of the animals that can get infected. There have been reports of animals infected with the virus worldwide. Most of these animals became infected after contact with people with COVID-19.
- A small number of pet cats and dogs have been reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 in several countries, including the United States. One ferret was reported positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Slovenia.
- Several animals in zoos and sanctuaries have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, including big cats (lions, tigers, pumas, cougars, snow leopards) and non-human primates (gorillas) after showing signs of illness. It is suspected that these animals became sick after being exposed to an animal caretaker with COVID-19. In many situations, this happened despite the staff wearing personal protective equipment and following COVID-19 precautions.
SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in farmed mink worldwide.SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in mink on farms in multiple countriesexternal icon, including the United States.
- In the United States, respiratory disease and increases in mink deaths have been seen on most affected mink farms. However, some infected mink might also appear healthy.
- Infected workers likely introduced SARS-CoV-2 to mink on the farms, and the virus then began to spread among the mink. Once the virus is introduced on a farm, spread can occur between mink, as well as from mink to other animals on the farm (dogs, cats).
- One wild mink found near an affected Utah farm was found to be infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, there is no evidence that the virus is currently circulating in free-living wildlife in the United States.
- Currently, there is no evidence that mink are playing a significant role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to people. However, there is a possibility of mink spreading SARS-CoV-2 to people on mink farms. Mink to human spread of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Poland, and new data suggest it might have occurred in the United States.
- Investigations found that mink from a Michigan farm and a small number of people were infected with SARS-CoV-2 that contained unique mink-related mutations (changes in the virus’s genetic material). This suggests mink to human spread might have occurred.
- The animals on the farm have since tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 twice, and the infected people have since recovered.
- Finding these mutations in mink on the Michigan farm is not unexpected because they have been seen before in mink from farms in the Netherlands and Denmark and also in people linked to mink farms worldwide.
- Currently there is limited information available about the genetics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has infected people living in the communities near the mink farm. Thus, it is difficult to know with certainty whether the mink-related virus mutations originated in people or in mink on the farm.
- To confirm the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from mink to people, public health officials would need more information on the epidemiology and genetics of the virus in mink, mink farm workers, and the community around mink farms.
- These results highlight the importance of routinely studying the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 in susceptible animal populations like mink, as well as in people.
Mink Guidance
Guidance is available to protect worker and animal health, developed collaboratively by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), CDC, and state animal and public health partners using a One Health approach:
Prevent Introduction of SARS-CoV-2 on Mink Farms: Interim SARS-CoV-2 Guidance and Recommendations for Farmed Mink and Other Mustelidspdf iconexternal icon
Response and Containment Guidelines: Interim Guidance for Animal Health and Public Health Officials Managing Farmed Mink and other Farmed Mustelids with SARS-CoV-2pdf iconexternal icon
- For most people in the United States, the risk of getting COVID-19 from animals is low, but there is a higher risk for people working on mink farms.
- Worker safety is critical to protect people and animals on mink farms. Mink farm workers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should avoid contact with animals, including mink, and should follow available guidance for farmed mink and other mustelids (animals such as weasels, ferrets, badgers, wolverines, and otters) to avoid introducing SARS-CoV-2 to mink on farms.
- CDC is aware of reports of a strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus in mink in Denmark that was also present in the local human population.
- This strain, called “Cluster 5,” had not been seen before and was made up of five mutations. The World Health Organization (WHO)external icon reported that as of November 2020, the Cluster 5 variant was no longer circulating in Denmark.
- Of mink and human samples tested so far in the United States, none have contained all the mutations that make up the Cluster 5 strain.
USDA maintains a listexternal iconexternal icon of all animals and mink farms in the United States with SARS-CoV-2 infections confirmed by their National Veterinary Services Laboratories.
Top of Page
Research on animals and COVID-19
Many studies have been done to learn more about how this virus can affect different animals.
- Recent experimental research shows that many mammals, including cats, dogs, bank voles, ferrets, fruit bats, hamsters, mink, pigs, rabbits, racoon dogs, tree shrews, and white-tailed deer can be infected with the virus.
- Cats, ferrets, fruit bats, hamsters, racoon dogs, and white-tailed deer can also spread the infection to other animals of the same species in laboratory settings.
- A number of studies have investigated non-human primates as models for human infection. Rhesus macaques, cynomolgus macaques, baboons, grivets, and common marmosets can become infected with SARS-CoV-2 and become sick in a laboratory setting.
- There is some evidence suggesting that laboratory mice, which could not be infected with original strains of SARS-CoV-2, can be infected with new virus variants.
- Chickens and ducks do not seem to become infected or spread the infection based on results from studies.
Top of Page
What CDC is doing
Since the beginning of the pandemic, CDC has been leading efforts to improve our understanding of how SARS-CoV-2 affects animals and how the virus might spread between people and animals. CDC has also worked to improve coordination of federal, state, and other One Health partners.
- CDC leads the One Health Federal Interagency COVID-19 Coordination (OH-FICC) Group, which brings together public health, animal health, and environmental health representatives from more than 20 federal agencies to collaborate and exchange information on the One Health aspects of COVID-19. For example, the group researches and develops guidance on the connection between people and pets, wildlife, zoo animals, and livestock; animal diagnostics and testing; and environmental health issues relevant to COVID-19.
- CDC leads the State-Federal One Health Update Call to bring local, state, tribal, and territorial partners together with OH-FICC members to exchange information, share timely updates, and address partner needs on the One Health aspects of COVID-19.
- CDC, USDA, state public health and animal health officials, and academic partners are working in some states to conduct active surveillance (proactive testing) of SARS-CoV-2 in pets, including cats, dogs, and other small mammals, that had contact with a person with COVID-19. Researchers test these animals for SARS-CoV-2 infection and to see whether they develop antibodies to the virus and perform genomic sequencing. This work is being done to help us better understand how common SARS-CoV-2 infection might be in pets, as well as if pets play a role in the spread of this virus.
- CDC deployed One Health teams to multiple states to support state and local departments of health and agriculture, federal partners, and others in conducting on-farm investigations into SARS-CoV-2 in people, mink, and other animals (domestic and wildlife). The teams collected samples from animals on the farms and from people working on the farms and in surrounding communities. CDC and USDA are testing and analyzing these samples to better understand how SARS-CoV-2 can spread among mink, other animals, and people, as well as genetic variations of the virus. These investigations are ongoing.
Guidance and recommendations
- Interim Guidance for Public Health Professionals Managing People with COVID-19 in Home Care and Isolation Who Have Pets or Other Animals
- Interim recommendations for intake of companion animals from households where humans with COVID-19 are presentexternal icon
- Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Veterinary Clinics
- Evaluation for SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Animals
- Toolkit: One Health Approach to Address Companion Animals with SARS-CoV-2
- COVID-19 Recommendations for Pet Stores, Pet Distributors, and Pet Breeding Facilities
- Interim SARS-CoV-2 Guidance and Recommendations for Farmed Mink and Other Mustelidspdf iconexternal icon
- Response & Containment Guidelines: Interim Guidance for Animal Health and Public Health Officials Managing Farmed Mink and other Farmed Mustelids with SARS-CoV-2pdf iconexternal icon
- Guidance to Reduce the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Spreading between People and Wildlife
More Information
- Veterinary Clinics
- Interacting with Wildlife
- Handlers of Service & Therapy Animals
- Pet Stores, Distributors & Breeding Facilities
- Animal Activities at Fairs, Shows & Other Events
- Information on Bringing an Animal into the United States
- World Organisation for Animal Health: COVID-19 Events in Animalsexternal icon
- USDA: Confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Animals in the United Statesexternal icon
- USDA: Coronavirus Disease 2019external iconexternal icon
- FDA: Coronavirus Disease 2019external iconexternal icon
Media Announcements
- Texas A&M Research Uncovers First Known COVID-19 UK Variant In Animalsexternal icon
- Confirmation of COVID-19 in a Snow Leopard at a Kentucky Zooexternal icon
- USDA Confirms SARS-CoV-2 in Mink in Utahexternal icon
- Confirmation of COVID-19 in Pet Dog in New Yorkexternal icon
- Confirmation of COVID-19 in Two Pet Cats in New York
- USDA Statement on the Confirmation of COVID-19 Infection in a Tiger in New Yorkexternal icon
- Confirmation of COVID-19 in Gorillas at a California Zooexternal icon
- Confirmation of COVID-19 in a Cougar at a Wild Animal Exhibitor in Texasexternal icon
- Confirmation of COVID-19 in Otters at an Aquarium in Georgiaexternal icon
What You Should Know about COVID-19 and Pets
https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/covi...ng%2Fpets.html
IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED
Find new guidance for fully vaccinated people. If you are not vaccinated, find a vaccine.
What you need to know
- A small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been reportedexternal icon to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.
- Based on the information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.
- The virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from people to animals including pets in some situations, mostly during close contact.
- If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets and other animals.
On This Page
- Risk of people spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to pets
- Protect pets if you are sick
- What to do if you think your pet has the virus that causes COVID-19
- What to do if your pet tests positive
- Stay healthy around animals
- Guidance and recommendations
info solid icon
For more information on COVID-19 and Animals
See COVID-19 and Animals and COVID-19 and Animals Frequently Asked Questions.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels, and bats. Some coronaviruses infect only animals and do not infect humans.
Risk of people spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to pets
We are still learning about the virus that causes COVID-19, but we do know that it can spread from people to animals in some situations, especially during close contact with a person with COVID-19. A small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been reportedexternal icon to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19.
We know that most pets get infected after close contact with their owner or another household member with COVID-19. To protect pets from the virus:
- Pet owners and every eligible person in the household should get vaccinated.
- People with COVID-19 should not have contact with pets.
- Pet owners should not allow pets to have contact with unvaccinated people outside the household, if possible.
There is no evidence that the virus can spread to people from the skin, fur, or hair of pets. Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners. Talk to your veterinarian if you have questions about appropriate products for bathing or cleaning your pet.
Questions about keeping your pet safe?
Questions about keeping your pet safe?
See Frequently Asked Questions about Animals and COVID-19.
Protect pets if you are sick
If you are sick with COVID-19 (either suspected or confirmed by a test), you should avoid contact with your pets and other animals, just like you would with people.
- When possible, have another member of your household care for your pets while you are sick.
- Avoid contact with your pet including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, sharing food, and sleeping in the same bed.
- If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you have COVID-19, wear a maskand wash your hands before and after you interact with them.
What to do if you think your pet has the virus that causes COVID-19
Pets infected with this virus may or may not get sick. Of the pets that have gotten sick, most only had mild illness and fully recovered. Serious illness in pets appears to be extremely rare.
Pets that do have symptoms usually have mild illness that can be taken care of at home. If you think your pet is sick with the virus or if you have concerns about your pet’s health, talk to your veterinarian. Most pets that have gotten sick from the virus that causes COVID-19 were infected after close contact with a person with COVID-19.
If your pet is sick and you think it might be from the virus that causes COVID-19, talk to your veterinarian.
If you are sick with COVID-19 and your pet becomes sick, do not take your pet to the veterinary clinic yourself. Call your veterinarian and let them know you have been sick with COVID-19. Some veterinarians may offer telemedicine consultations or other plans for seeing sick pets. Your veterinarian can evaluate your pet and determine the next steps for your pet’s treatment and care.
What to do if your pet tests positive
Depending on your pet’s symptoms, your veterinarian may recommend that your pet be isolated at home, instead of staying in the hospital.
If your veterinarian recommends home isolation and you are able to care for your pet at home, follow this advice to protect yourself and others.
Keep your pet at home, except to get medical care
- Talk with your veterinarian regularly. Call before you take your pet to the veterinary clinic. Be sure to alert your veterinarian if your pet has trouble breathing, or if you think it is an emergency.
- Although most pets only have mild symptoms or no symptoms, we are still learning about how they are affected by the virus. Even if your pet appears to be feeling better, avoid the activities below until your veterinarian or a state or local health official has determined that it is safe for your pet to do so or your pet has met the guidance to end their isolation. Activities to avoid include:
- Visits to veterinary hospitals, without calling the veterinarian first
- Visits to human healthcare facilities or schools
- Visits to parks (including dog parks), markets, or other gatherings where there are many people and pets, such as festivals
- Visits to the groomer, including mobile grooming salons
- Visits to pet daycare or boarding facilities
- Other outings such as playdates or visiting other homes, with or without pets
- Using dog walkers or pet-sitters that live outside your home
- Traveling with your pet
- Have the pet stay in a designated “sick room” (such as a laundry room or extra bathroom) if possible, or otherwise be separated from people and other pets. This is the same way a person with COVID-19 would separate from others in their household.
- Avoid contact with the pet as much as possible, including, petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food or bedding.
- If possible, provide a separate litterbox or bathroom area from other pets.
- If you have a private backyard, limit your dog to the backyard. If you must walk your dog, limit it to bathroom breaks only, stay close to your home, and keep your pet at least 6 feet away from other pets and people. Do not let other people touch or interact with your dog.
- Cats should be kept inside. Do not allow cats that have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 to roam outside.
- Wear gloves when cleaning up after your pet, and place feces (poop) or litterbox waste in a sealed bag before disposing in a trashcan lined with a trash bag. Always wash your hands with soap and water immediately after cleaning up after your pet. There is no evidence to suggest that waste from infected pets needs any additional disinfection.
- Provide bedding, bowls or containers, treats, and toys that are separate from those used by other people or animals in the household.
- Disinfect bowls, toys, and other animal care items with an Environmental Protection Agency-registered disinfectantexternal iconexternal icon and rinse thoroughly with clean water afterwards.
- Soft items like towels, blankets, and other bedding, can be safely laundered and reused. Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an ill animal can be washed with other items.
It is important to keep track of your pet’s symptoms during home isolation. If you think your pet has new symptoms or is getting worse, call your veterinarian.
Pets sick with the virus that causes COVID-19 may have:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Lethargy (unusual laziness or sluggish)
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Eye discharge
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If your pet develops new symptoms or seems to be getting worse, including having trouble breathing, you should call your veterinarian right away. Your veterinarian may be able to advise you over the phone or may tell you to bring your pet to their clinic or go to another clinic that can better care for your pet.
Protect yourself when caring for a sick pet
- Follow similar recommended precautions as for people caring for an infected person at home.
- Members of the household who are fully vaccinated should care for the pet.
- If you are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, another household member should care for the pet, if possible.
- People should wear a mask and gloves in the same room or area as the sick pet.
- Animals should not wear a mask. Do not try to put a mask on your pet.
- Use gloves when handling the pet’s dishes, toys, or bedding and when picking up poop. Throw out gloves and place waste material or litterbox waste in a sealed bag before throwing away in a trashcan lined with a trash bag. Always wash your hands with soap and water immediately after cleaning up after your pet.
- Clean your hands regularly throughout the day.
- Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each. Make sure everyone in the home does the same, especially after touching the sick pet or handling their dishes, toys, or bedding.
- Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean and then disinfect:
- Follow cleaning and disinfecting recommendations found on CDC’s Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home
- Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners. There is no evidence that viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19, can spread to people or other animals from the skin, fur, or hair of pets. Using chemical disinfectants on your pet could make them very sick or kill them. Talk to your veterinarian if you have questions about appropriate products for bathing or cleaning your pet.
Follow your veterinarian’s advice for when it is safe for your pet to be around other people and animals. Some pets may need follow-up testing to see if they are still positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Your pet can go back to normal activities if:
- The pet has not shown symptoms for at least 72 hours without medical management;
- It has been at least 14 days since the pet’s last positive test;
- All follow-up tests for current infection are negative.
Because all animals can carry germs that can make people sick, it is always a good idea to practice healthy habits around pets and other animals.
- Wash your hands after handling animals and their food, waste, or supplies.
- Practice good hygiene and clean up after pets properly.
- Talk to your veterinarian if you have questions about your pet’s health.
Guidance and recommendations
- Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Veterinary Clinics
- Evaluation for SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Animals
- Guidance for Handlers of Service and Therapy Animals
- Toolkit for Health Officials Managing Companion Animals with SARS-CoV-2
but - since OBLM and Anti-fa get a pass for terrorism - the fiden administration will probably tell the DOJ to drop charges for good DPST party members.
