Transmission dynamics and susceptibility patterns of SARS-CoV-2 in
domestic, farmed and wild animals: Sustainable One health surveillance
for conservation and public health to prevent future epidemics and
pandemics
Abstract
The exact origin of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2) and source of introduction into humans has not been
established yet, though it might be originated from animals. Therefore,
we conducted a literature review to understand the putative reservoirs,
transmission dynamics, and susceptibility patterns of SARS-CoV-2 in
animals. Rhinolophu s bats are presumed to be natural progenitors
of SARS-CoV-2 related viruses. Initially pangolin was thought to be the
source of spillover to human, but they might get infected from human or
other animal species. So, the virus spillover pathways to humans remain
unknown. Human-to-animal transmission has been testified in pet, farmed,
zoo and free-ranging wild animals. Infected animals can transmit the
virus to other animals in natural settings like, mink-to-mink, and
mink-to-cat transmission. Animal-to-human transmission is not a
persistent pathway, while mink-to-human transmission continues to be
illuminated. Multiple companion and captive wild animals were infected
by emerging alpha variant of concern (B.1.1.7 lineage) whereas Asiatic
lions were infected by delta variant, (B.1.617.2). To date, multiple
animal species- cat, ferrets, non-human primates, hamsters, and bats,
showed high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in experimental condition,
while swine, poultry, cattle showed no susceptibility. The founding of
SARS-CoV-2 in wild animal reservoirs can confronts the control of the
virus in humans and might carry a risk to the welfare and conservation
of wildlife as well. We suggest vaccinating pet, and captive animals to
stop spillover and spillback events. We recommend sustainable one health
surveillance at animal-human-environmental interface to detect and
prevent future epidemics and pandemics by Disease X.