COVID-19: What We Know
The SARS-COV2 virus spreads between people easily, through the respiratory droplets produced (such as in breathing or coughing). As we have practiced in the past year, masks and social distancing help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Vocabulary: SARS-COV2 is the virus and it causes COVID-19, the disease.
COVID-19 and Animals
In some rare cases, COVID-19 may spread from people to animals (be it livestock, wildlife, or pets). Only a small number of pets worldwide have been infected by COVID-19. Some had no symptoms, some had mild symptoms (fever, coughing, sneezing, discharge of nose and eyes, diarrhea) that could be treated at home. As of June 9, 2021, there have been 215 COVID-positive animal cases in the US. Cats are the animal most commonly infected.
If humans test positive for COVID-19 or suspect they have been exposed, social distancing from their pet(s) is encouraged.
In the last year and a half we have learned that the more than 30 million human cases across the COVID are do not present a significant risk to animals. Person-to-person is the biggest risk of spread of COVID-19.
COVID Prevention is Trusted Biosecurity Practice
It is important to remember that most of the methods of prevention of SARS-COV2 spread work to stop the spread of other illnesses. These include:
- Handwashing
- Staying at home when feeling sick
- Face masks and face coverings
In one example, influenza cases dropped significantly in 2020; influenza hospitalizations were the lowest they had been since 2005. And so, precautions taken to limit the spread of SARS-COV2 also helped limit influenza cases, among other diseases.
The Big Takeaway
Personal hygiene and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) can reduce disease spread – even outside a pandemic! But they have also been key factors in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
By: Laura Eppinger, Salem County 4-H Agent
Sources
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/dashboards/tableau/sars-dashboard
AEWG Conference (virtual) April 24, 2021
Animalemergency.nj.gov