The hunt for the intermediate host for SARS-CoV-2 continues. It’s pretty universally accepted (the odd conspiracy theorist aside) that this virus, like SARS and MERS, originated in bats. How it made it to people is an important question we’d like to answer to help understand this virus and future risks.
Figuring that out is challenging
Let’s just call this an “odds and ends” post. I’ll outline some interesting highlights from some recent papers, including a couple just posted overnight.
More on predicted susceptible hosts (pre-print (i.e. not peer reviewed) on BioRxiv)
This study looked at genomic data from 410 vertebrates, including 252 mammals, and the researchers ranked the different animal
Here is an updated version of the decision tree for screening of owners / patients coming to veterinary clinics, which I originally posted a few weeks ago, to help with identifying higher risk situations. We also have a Russian translation courtesy of Dr. Varvara Solovyeva.
You can use the links below to download the
Hot on the heels of the experimental study of SARS-CoV-2 in ferrets that I discussed a couple days ago is another new study, available in pre-print, that looked at susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in a slightly wider range of animals, including ferrets, cats, dogs, pigs and poultry (Shi et al. 2020). Bear in
Based on what we knew from the original SARS virus and the similarity with SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19), we expected ferrets to be one of the species that could be susceptible to infection with the latter. When ferrets were infected with the SARS virus, they got sick (unlike cats that just shed the virus).
The Public Health Agency of Canada has released a list of frequently asked questions on COVID-19, which includes a section on animals. Click here to read the COVID-19 FAQ.
While the whole story hasn’t been sorted out, it seems pretty clear that one or more animal species at the Wuhan Seafood Market (which sold much more than just aquatic animals and their products) was the source of the novel coronavirus. Just like SARS.
Once again, this has raised concerns about markets where diverse live
Calling all backyard poultry owners:
You are invited to participate in a survey regarding backyard chickens that is being conducted by Dr. Scott Weese, a Professor in the Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, and Public Health Ontario’s Infection Prevention and Control Team (Central-West). We are interested in hearing from people
Two reports came out this week, both detailing the scourge of antibiotic resistance.
A colleague sent this leading in with “you can’t make this stuff up.” He was right.
Here’s the Cole’s notes version of the story of a couple’s visit to a Louisiana truck stop.
