Cross-Sectional Serosurvey of Companion Animals Housed with SARS-CoV-2-Infected Owners, Italy

Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Jul;27(7):1919-1922. doi: 10.3201/eid2707.203314. Epub 2021 May 11.

Abstract

We conducted a serologic survey among dogs and cats in Italy to detect antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We found that SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was higher among cats (16.2%) than dogs (2.3%). In addition, seroprevalence was higher among animals living in close contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive owners.

Keywords: COVID-19; One Health; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; cats; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; dogs; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COVID-19*
  • Cat Diseases*
  • Cats
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dog Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Pets
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies