by Dr Steve Surujbally

OVER the past month, I have been inundated with calls from pet owners asking me whether their pets can infect the owners. Many of them pointed out that canine Corona Virus was included on their pets’ Vaccination Certificates.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has issued updated guidance (March 10, 2020) on its Website. WSAVA has documented that veterinarians and pet owners should not panic about contracting the corona virus disease (now called COVID – 19).

Let me repeat: It is highly unlikely that humans could contract the New Corona Virus from their dog or cat, or that their companion animals can transmit this virus to people or to other animals.

Scientists like Professor Michael Lappin at the James L. Ross Veterinary Teaching Hospital (Colorado State University) and the Centre for Disease Control in the USA have published an advisory confirming that there is currently no evidence that pets or other domestic animals can be infected by this new strain of corona virus; nor are they a source of infection to people. Evidently, this is a rapidly evolving situation that has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Of course, we shall be monitoring the scientific publications and advisories and will keep you posted about new developments.

Now, let me answer the question about vets vaccinating your dogs against Canine Enteric (intestinal) Corona Virus Disease. The vaccine that we vets use is available in the global marketplace. They are not expected to offer any cross-immunization/protection against COVID-19. This new virus with which humans are being confronted is a distinctly different Corona Virus variant which targets the respiratory system, in the first instance.

Let me hasten to add, that although some media outlets have been mentioning the possibility of human infection from animals, there is no reliable scientific evidence that pets (or other domestic animals) might be the source of the novel Corona Virus relative to humans.

It behooves me to mention that at a Symposium sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, one speaker also endorsed the position that no data are currently available that would suggest dog to human and human to dog transmission/contamination/infection. This new Corona Virus is simply a totally different strain from that which affects canine species.

For now, I am emphasising the text contained in the last paragraph, because throughout history, mankind – not quite understanding (or being unwilling to understand) science tends to find explanations/justifications by reading myths, legends and folklore that have as their consequence very inhumane treatment of animals; sharks are slaughtered for their fins, rhinoceroses for their horns, elephants for their tusks, black cats and bats for everything bad.

Reports have already begun to circulate that companion animals (pets) are being strayed or killed because owners fear that their pets can be carrying the virus.

Please do not become a member of a backward humanity by subjecting/exposing your pet (part of your family) to the painful and agonising world of abandonment and loneliness.

Notwithstanding the sense and logic contained in the previous paragraphs, it is always preferable to err on the side of caution. This means that all the preventative/advisory undertakings documented for humans should be followed, especially after playing with your companion animals/ Actually, as I have always posited, one should enact personal hygiene (not lastly washing of hands with the appropriate disinfectant) whenever you (this includes veterinarians) have touched a pet – whether during play or when you have taken/returned the dog/cat to the Vet Clinic.

This column will keep you up-to-date about new developments – especially those dealing with human-animal contamination associated with COVID-19 disease. Should you have any specific questions relating to this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me directly or via this newspaper.