OIA21 0201 Appendix Two 20200305 MPI BSI IR003 20.pdf

IN-CONFIDENCE

INTELLIGENCE REPORT
Can COVID-19 infect domestic animals?
Released
5 March 2020
Controller, COVID-19 Response
To
Intelligence Function Lead, COVID-19 Response
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From
Biosecurity Intelligence team and Animal and Aquatic Science and Risk team
Key Judgments
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  Despite a recent report of  a  dog  in Hong Kong testing  ‘weakly  positive’  for  COVID-19  virus,
available information indicates that domestic animals are unlikely to become infected or transmit
the virus to humans.
–  The  reported  test  cannot  distinguish  between  active  infection  and  the  dog  passively
acquiring  viral  material  from  its  environment.  Only  active  infection  would  likely  have
consequences for human or animal health.
–  We have seen no evidence that dogs or other domestic animals are susceptible to COVID-
19 infection.
INFORMATION
Background
1.  We recently assessed that domestic animals were unlikely to acquire and transmit COVID-19
virus  (20200207  Domestic  animals  and  2019-nCoV.pdf).1  Since then,  a  ‘weak  positive’  test  result
has  been  reported  for  a  dog  belonging  to  a  COVID-19  patient  in  Hong  Kong.2  Our  updated
assessment in light of this report is summarised below.
OFFICIAL
Assessment
Can dogs and other domestic animals become infected with COVID-19?
THE
2.  We have seen no evidence that dogs or other domestic animals can be infected with COVID-19
virus. The result for the dog in Hong Kong refers to a testing procedure that detects viral genetic
material, but does not necessarily imply infection with viable virus.3
  The  dog  may  have  licked or  breathed  in  viral material  present  in  its  environment,  and be
carrying it passively without becoming infected.
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3.  We have seen no further reports of positive COVID-19 tests for dogs or other domestic species.
We have seen no reports of domestic animals becoming infected or carrying viable COVID-19 virus.
4.  Hong  Kong  authorities  say  the  dog  has  no  clinical  signs  and  they  have no  evidence  that  pet
animals can be infected.2,3 They are conducting further tests to determine whether the dog has been
infected or is passively carrying environmental contamination.
Can dogs and other domestic animals spread COVID-19?
RELEASED
5.  It is highly unlikely that people can catch COVID-19 from domestic animals. We have seen no
evidence that domestic animals can be infected by the virus and spread it. Domestic animals carrying
environmental contamination would be unlikely to transmit viable virus back to humans.
IN-CONFIDENCE
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accordance  with  the  security  procedures  applicable  to  its  security  classification  as  set  out  in  Ministry  for  Primary  Industries’  Security
Policies and Guidelines.

IN-CONFIDENCE

Should domestic pets living with confirmed cases in NZ be tested for COVID-19?
6.  There would be little benefit in testing pets living with people who have COVID-19 in NZ. The
tests  currently  available  for  domestic  animals  do  not  indicate  infection  or  capability  to  spread  the
virus.
  Current tests would provide little or no insight into the risks to either humans or domestic
animals. Serological tests that would demonstrate COVID-19 infection are not yet available
for domestic animals.
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  The  OIE  advocates  further  research  into  the  susceptibility  of  domestic  animals,  to  better
manage  the  human  epidemic.4  However,  such  research  would  best  be  undertaken  in
controlled laboratory conditions, or alternatively, in a society with a large number of human
ACT
cases and associated animal exposure. Ad hoc testing of a very small number of animals in
NZ would contribute little to this research.
Should domestic pets living with confirmed cases in NZ be put into quarantine?
7.  There would be little benefit in quarantining pets living with COVID-19 cases in NZ. These pets
are unlikely to spread the virus.
  While acknowledging there is no evidence of animal susceptibility, the World Small Animal
Veterinary  Association  and  the  USA’s  Centers  for  Disease  Control  and  Prevention
recommend  that  COVID-19  patients  restrict  their  contact  with  pets,  as  a  precautionary
measure until the virus is better understood.5,6 Their advice is to minimise physical contact
INFORMATION
between the patients and their pets, and observe appropriate hygiene measures.
Conclusion
8.  There  is  no  current  evidence  that  domestic  animals  can  be  infected  by  COVID-19  virus  or
transmit  it  to  humans.  BSI  and  BSRA  will  continue  to monitor  COVID-19  and  provide  updates as
required.
OFFICIAL
References
1.
BSI/BSRA report, ‘Does the novel coronavirus that has emerged in China impact domestic animals?’
THE
Released 7 February 2020. 20200207 Domestic animals and 2019-nCoV.pdf
2.
Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department press release, ‘Detection of low level of
COVID-19 in pet dog’. Dated 28 February 2020.
https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/publications/publications press/pr2335.html
3.
OIE event report, dated 29 February 2020.
https://www.oie.int/wahis 2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?page refer=MapFullEventReport&r
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eportid=33455
4.
OIE informal advisory group discussion presented to WHO Global Research and Innovation Forum,
‘Animal and environmental investigations to identify the zoonotic source of the COVID-19 Virus’. Dated
31 January 2020. https://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Our scientific expertise/docs/pdf/COV-
19/COVID19 21Feb.pdf
5.
World Small Animal Veterinary Association advisory document, ‘The New Coronavirus and Companion
Animals - Advice for WSAVA Members’. Dated 29 February 2020. https://wsava.org/wp-
content/uploads/2020/02/COVID-19 WSAVA-Advisory-Document-Feb-29-2020.pdf
6.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions. Dated 3 March
RELEASED
2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#2019-nCoV-and-animals
IN-CONFIDENCE
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This  document  is  the  property  of  the  Ministry  for  Primary  Industries.  This  document  must  be  handled,  stored  and  disseminated  in
accordance  with  the  security  procedures  applicable  to  its  security  classification  as  set  out  in  Ministry  for  Primary  Industries’  Security
Policies and Guidelines.

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INFORMATION
OFFICIAL
THE
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RELEASED