COVID-19 Information

Science suggests that wild animals are the originating source of the virus, although the specific animal source(s) has yet to be confirmed. There is no evidence to date that other animal species, including domestic livestock and pets, can be infected (by people or animals) with the virus, and then in turn also serve as a potential source of infection; however, this has not been ruled out either.

Health Canada has developed some questions and answers around Covid-19, including the role of animals that you might find useful.  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/frequently-asked-questions.html#a4

The CDC has questions and answers posted online as well: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#2019-nCoV-and-animals

It may be useful to remember that there are many coronaviruses infecting many animals including pigs, domestic and wild birds, bats, rodents, dogs & cats, and cattle. These viruses are divided into three groups and have been known for more than 50 years to cause various diseases in animals depending on the group and strain of the virus.  Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) is one of the newer ones we have seen in pigs in Canada. Like most coronaviruses, it infects one animal species (pigs) and does not spread to other species, including people. This is true for most coronaviruses, so people need not be worried about catching coronaviruses from their pets or livestock.

Submitted by: Wendy Wilkins, DVM, PhD