In these cases, animal caretakers can usually control the situation through quarantining, vaccination, or culling (selectively slaughtering animals). Animals can become infected from contact with contaminated objects or surfaces, or aerosol (through the air) transmission.īut experts aren’t as concerned about COVID-19 outbreaks among animals in captivity. All the infected animals got the virus from a human animal keeper who had COVID-19. In zoos, experts haven’t seen any COVID-19 transmission from one managed species to another. The number of confirmed species with COVID-19 continues to go up as the pandemic continues. The CDC has found COVID-19 infections in wild animals like big cats, otters, mink, non-human primates, and white-tailed deer. Researchers have tested over 50 animal species in multiple zoos and aquariums. Early detection will help experts find the source of the infection and learn more about how it spreads within these species. In areas with managed wild animal populations, it’s crucial to control and stop the spread of the virus. Testing wild animals is important to locate any new COVID-19 cases. This may include wild animals and animals in captivity (like in zoos or farms).

Their studies showed that several types of animals are at risk for COVID-19.

Experts looked at other animals’ ACE2 sequences and predicted which species are at risk for the virus as well. In humans, the virus that causes COVID-19 binds to the ACE2 receptor in our cells. It’s important that researchers study how COVID-19 affects wild animals to ensure their safety and protect humans from new flare-ups of the coronavirus. Since the start of the pandemic, scientists have wondered if this virus can spread from humans back to animals, and which types of animals could be at risk. Experts believe the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic began in horseshoe bats.

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