Evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can infect some animals through close contact with humans.

Laboratories in England and Scotland are now legally obliged to report positive SARS-CoV-2 results. 

Vets are being reminded that there is now a legal obligation in England and Scotland to report the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in mammals.

In England, amendments to the Zoonoses Order 1989 also include changes to the list of animal species for which Salmonella and Brucella must be reported to include dogs. Wales and Northern Ireland intend to introduce similar legislation shortly.

Evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can infect some animals following close contact with infected humans. Globally, a small number of cats, dogs, mink and ferrets have contracted the virus, either through infected households or people. 

In the UK, there has been one case in a cat from an infected household. The cat was co-infected with another respiratory virus but has since made a full recovery and did not infect any other cats in the household. 

Commenting on the changes, which came into effect on Monday (22 Feb), a BSAVA spokesperson said: 'Currently there is no evidence to suggest that pet animals infected by humans are playing a significant role in the epidemiology of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Outbreaks of COVID-19 in humans are currently driven by person-to-person transmission.'

'Any positive SARS-CoV-2 result in England can be reported via Defra’s Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. For Scotland, reporting is via the local Field Services Office. To report in Wales, contact 0300 303 8268 and for Northern Ireland contact DAERA on 0300 200 7840 / 0300 2007852 or your local Divisional Veterinary Office.

'Under professional obligations, there is a continuing requirement to report positive results pending legislation across all UK countries.'

Brucella
Laboratories in England and Scotland must now inform the APHA of positive results from detection of Brucella canis, or any other species of Brucella if it is detected in a sample from a dog. Up to now, there have been 10 cases of B. canis in dogs - nine associated with imported dogs and one at a breeding establishment. 

Salmonella
There is now also a requirement for laboratories to inform APHA about Salmonella if it is diagnosed based on a sample from a dog. This comes in response to some recent, voluntary samples showing high multi-drug resistance.

Cases of Salmonella in dogs should be reported using the existing Salmonella reporting procedure. Any queries should be made via foodbornezoonoses@apha.gov.uk