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Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Ppublish 7 citations

PubMed: 36519594 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28408

Possible transmission of COVID-19 epidemic by a dog as a passive mechanical carrier of SARS-CoV-2, Chongqing, China, 2022.

J Med Virol 95(1):e28408

Authors: Chunbei Zhou, Ailin Wu, Sheng Ye, Zongliang Zhou, Hongjun Zhang, Xiyou Zhao, Ya Wang, Huan Wu, Dandan Ruan, Shuang Chen, Wenge Tang, Shibin Xu, Qin Li, Kun Su

Affiliations

  • Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, China.
  • Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.
  • Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, China. Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory for High Pathogenic Microbes, Chongqing, China.
  • Yongchuan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, China.
  • Community Health Service Center of Zhongshan Road, Yongchuan District, Chongqing, China.
  • Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory for High Pathogenic Microbes, Chongqing, China.
  • Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, China. School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China.

Abstract

An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in Yongchuan district of Chongqing, China in March 2022, while the source was unknown. We aimed to investigate the origin and transmission route of the virus in the outbreak. We conducted field investigations for all cases and collected their epidemiological and clinical data. We performed gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis for the cases, and draw the epidemic curve and the case relationship chart to analyze interactions and possible transmission mode of the outbreak. A total of 11 cases of COVID-19, including 5 patients and 6 asymptomatic cases were laboratory-confirmed in the outbreak. The branch of the virus was Omicron BA.2 which was introduced into Yongchuan district by a traveler in early March. Patient F and asymptomatic case G had never contact with other positive-infected individuals, but close contact with their pet dog that sniffed the discarded cigarette butts and stepped on the sputum of patient B. Laboratory test results showed that the dog hair and kennel were positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the 10 isolates were highly homologous to an epidemic strain in a province of China. The investigation suggested that the contaminated dog by SARS-CoV-2 can act as a passive mechanical carrier of the virus and might transmit the virus to humans through close contact. Our findings suggest that during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing hygiene measures and hand washing after close contact with pets is essential to minimize the risk of community spread of the virus.

MeSH

Virology, Genes, Coronavirus, Sars Virus, Epidemics, Covid-19, Sars-Cov-2

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