Importance of SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Animals of COVID-19 Affected Households and Influence of Hygiene Standards

Natural SARS-CoV-2 infections have been found in cats, dogs and some other animal species. Experimental studies have shown virus shedding and transmission among domestic cats. These facts indicate that animals can become virus reservoirs. There is currently very limited scientific literature about SARS-CoV-2 transmission in COVID-19 affected households in relation to hygiene standards and human-animal interaction, as well as on the seroprevalence in companion animals. Nowadays companion animals play a very important role in our society. Every third household in Switzerland keeps a pet animal. People often live in very close contact with their animals and they play an important role on human mental and physical health particularly in the current situation with the pandemic and lockdowns. Therefore, evaluation of potential risks and influence of hygiene measures are important to generate recommendations, to prevent unwanted reactions of animal owners, to create guidelines for professionals concerning handling and diagnostic approach of potentially infected animals.