Epidemiological aspect of sars-cov-2 virus transmission from humans to pets in the period 2020-2022

​Danijela Videnović *1 , Tamaš Petrović 2, Sara Savić 2 
Veterinary clinic for pets Zeleni venac vet, Belgrade, Serbia 1 ,
Scientific Veterinary  Institute „Novi Sad“, Novi Sad, Serbia  2 
Corresponding  author *: zelenivenacvet@gmail.com

  During the Covid-19 pandemic in the republic of Serbia, 41 domestic dogs and cats were tested  for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in humans or confirmation  of post infection with this virus (determination of the presence of specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2). During the period of research 2020-2022 and monitoring the transmission  of the SARS-CoV-2  virus from humans to pets, there  were various  epidemiological data on the possibility of infecting humans and their pets.
  At the time  of the survey, pet owners (41)  tested positive for SARS-CoV-2  virus during pet collection  for sampling  and diagnostic  testing  for SARS-CoV-2 virus / past RT-PCR infection and ELISA method. It is important  to note that the owners  had different immune and the infectious status  during  the study period  of their pets ( the owners were vaccineted or unvaccinated, became  ill or had Covid-19 ). Some of the clients surveyed  had symptoms of Covid-19 but they  did not consult  a doctor, and their pets became infected at the time of contact in the house. For such owners , we considered that they  had contact the veterinarian further because of the care of their pet and the possible transsmisionof the infection to him. In pets of the mentonied owners , SARS-CoV-2 was diagnosied at the time of testing the pet as a currently present infection or as a post infection based on the detection of specific antibodies. In the waves of the epidemic in the Republic of Serbia, the reinfection of owners  who were previosly vaccined was confirmed, with confirmed and unconfirmed infection in pets after testing by RT-PCR and ELISA methods. 
  The pets  that became  ill during these periods  were different ages, different species  and different breeds. The owners  of these pets who fell  ill during that period were also of different ages. The research was done at the level of the city of Belgrade, and positive findings in pets were determined in periods when the number of patients was at the expected higher peak.
 This type of testing tool finds its use in moments when we have a little knowledge about the way the virus is tranmitted from humans to pets to apply preventive procedures due to the existing risk of getting sick during work. For the application  of  preventive procedures  during the collection and work with pets from houses where people are sick or there  is a suspicion based on symptoms reported by the owner to the veterinarian, the existing regulations are adequate both in our country and in the world. All these types of information are supported by an adequate survey used in outpatient settings ( Zeleni venac vet ), and certificates  for pet owners that came  from officinally approved laboratories ( Institute of public health of Serbia - Batut, City Institute of Public Health, etc .). Altrough according to the obtanied data  and knowledge, the probability of infection with SARS-CoV-2 from cats/dogs to humans is very low, there is a high possibility of occupational disease  in contact with veterinarians and animal owners in case of inadequate preventive measures.
 Keywords:  Covid -19, SARS-CoV-2, Serbia, pets, preventive measures

                         33 rd CONFERENCE OF  SERBIAN VETERINARIANS
                             SERBIAN VETERINARY ASSOCIATION
                        Book of apstracts, September 2022 , www.svd.rs
         https://svd.rs/Arhiva/Zlatibor/Zlatibor_zbornik_33_savetovanje_2022.pdf
  
              33 SAVETOVANJE VETERINARA, SRPSKO VETERINARSKO DRUŠTVO 
                  Zbornik radova i kratkih sadržaja, Septembar 2022  , www.svd.rs 
         
           https://svd.rs/Arhiva/Zlatibor/Zlatibor_zbornik_33_savetovanje_2022.pdf                      
 
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​     DVM Danijela Videnović  
            Zeleni venac vet                                      

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