SARS-CoV-2 in animals: Natural and experimental infections

COVID 19 is the first pandemic of the 21st century caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus belonging to the Coranaviridae family. The current pandemic has caused an enormous public health threat leading to the death of thousands of infected people. Reports of positive SARS-CoV-2 results in domestic, farmed and wildlife animals have led to concern among animal owners that animals could spread the virus to humans. The aim of this paper is to summarize information on natural and experimental infections with SARS-CoV-2 in animals. The virus can cross the species barrier, but it is usually transmitted from humans to animals. There is no unquestionable evidence of virus transmission between different animal species or from animals to humans. Experimental studies on the susceptibility of particular animal species to SARS-CoV-2 infection have so far shown different degrees of susceptibility to infection in cats, dogs, ferrets, hamsters, fruit bats, raccoon dogs, and primates. Pigs and poultry, on the other hand, were resistant to infection. There is still a great need to improve the knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals, the associated risks and the potential role of animals in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.