A new study published in the US "Science" on the 8th found that the COVID-19 virus is easy to infect cats and ferrets, but weakly infects dogs, pigs, chickens and ducks.
At present, the origin of the COVID-19 virus and the intermediate host have not been determined. Which animal is most suitable as an experimental model to evaluate the efficacy of COVID-19 drugs and vaccines in humans is still a big problem. In this study, the researchers compared the sensitivity of different animals to the COVID-19 virus, including domestic animals such as cats, dogs, pigs, chickens, and ducks.
The study selected two virus strains: F13-E and CTan-H. Researchers inoculated animals with COVID-19 virus through nasal inoculation, and then detected the replication of the virus in various parts. It was found that the virus replicated very little in other animals, but replicated more in the upper respiratory tract of ferrets, the respiratory and digestive systems of cats. The infection of kittens is more serious.
The research leader, a researcher at the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chen Hualan, said in a written interview with Xinhua News Agency that the study proved that ferret can be used as a model animal for COVID-19 virus vaccine and drug evaluation. Cats are highly susceptible and should be closely monitored and protected. Animals such as dogs, pigs and poultry are not susceptible to the COVID-19 virus. This study will have important guiding significance for the traceability of the COVID-19 virus.
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