Survey of SARS‐CoV‐2 in dogs and cats in high‐risk areas during the second wave of COVID‐19 outbreak, Thailand
Waleemas Jairak, Kamonpan Charoenkul, Ekkapat Chamsai, Kitikhun Udom, Supassama Chaiyawong, Aphinya Hangsawek, Suchart Waenkaew, Anek Mungaomklang, Ratanaporn Tangwangvivat, Alongkorn Amonsin
Abstract
A cross-sectional survey of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic dogs and cats was conducted in high-risk areas, five subdistricts of Samut Sakhon Province, the epicenter of the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand in February 2021. A total of 523 swab samples (nasal, oral, and rectal swabs) and 159 serum samples from dogs (n = 83) and cats (n = 93) were collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies. All swab samples tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by real-time RT-PCR with three panels of specific primers and probes. Although all dogs and cats were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, 3.14% (5/159) had anti-N-IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 by indirect multispecies ELISA. Our results demonstrated SARS-CoV-2 exposure in domestic animals living in high-risk areas during the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand. Thus, the use of one health approach for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals in high-risk areas of COVID-19 outbreaks should be routinely conducted and will provide benefits to risk communications in communities.