New research reveals that not all animals are the same when it comes to coronavirus. Others seem to be more susceptible to the virus than other species. Indian scientists studied the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 - the entry point of the coronavirus, in 48 animals using a computer model to predict the infectivity of each one.
The study included a wide range of animals, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. The authors claim that their findings could help identify animals likely to be reservoir hosts for future disease outbreaks.
The models suggest that all primates aside for baboons are as vulnerable as humans in contracting the coronavirus. It also revealed that rats were less likely to catch the virus than pet turkeys. Additionally, turkeys were more susceptible to the virus than ducks.
The study worked on by researchers from the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute also found that the horseshoe species in bats appeared highly susceptible. In contrast, the pale spear-nosed species did not.
Meanwhile, in birds, golden eagles and turkeys were on high vulnerability while ducks and white-tailed eagles were marked low in probability, followed by chickens.
Among cloven-hoofed animals, pigs were the only species found not to be susceptible, while the rest were given a 99 percent probability of viral access. Camels were also found to be vulnerable.
Mice were said to be much less likely to contract the virus than hamsters. On the other hand, rabbits had a medium plausibility of viral entry.
The researchers infer that the probability of viral entry was not the lone factor regulating infection by the coronavirus. Still, the study's findings may help other scientists focus on particular species' capacity to carry or spread it.
As for house pets, the OIE, the World Organisation for Animal Health, said other studies suggested that cats were the most susceptible species to the virus, and could quickly transfer the virus to other cats. The organization added that ferrets were the next most vulnerable, as well as dogs.
Coronavirus Cases in Animals
A similar study conducted by researchers at the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute in China examined the vulnerability of numerous animal species to COVID-19, including cats and dogs. It was published in the journal Science on April 8.
Since the coronavirus outbreak started, animals have been making headlines as well. Just last month, a tiger at New York City's Bronx Zoo tested positive for the virus after several lions and tigers presented symptoms of COVID-19.
Similarly, a 17-year-old dog in Hong Kong tested "weakly positive" again and again for coronavirus in March and later on died. A cat in Belgium also tested positive for the disease on March 24. Two pet cats in New York also tested positive in April. The pets were thought to have gotten the virus from people in their homes or neighborhood.
According to the authors of the study, the results made it more necessary to predict species that could potentially be reservoir hosts in the future. Their paper was released on Sunday but is yet to be peer-reviewed. They add that coronaviruses are known to be promiscuous and that further study needs to be done to determine how coronavirus affects other animals.
