Abstract As part of a longitudinal household transmission study of pets living with persons with COVID-19 in Texas, two pets were confirmed to be infected with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant of concern (VOC). The pets were a dog and a cat from the same household, sampled two days after their owner tested positive for COVID-19. The oral, nasal, and fur swabs for both pets tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by qRT-PCR and consensus whole genome sequences from the dog and cat were 100 % identical and matched the B.1.1.7 VOC. Virus was isolated from the cat’s nasal swab. One month after initial detection of infection, the pets were re-tested twice at which time only the fur swabs (both pets) and oral swab (dog only) remained positive, and neutralizing antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 were present in both animals. Sneezing by both pets was noted by the owner in the weeks between initial and follow-up testing. This study documents the first detection of B.1.1.7. in companion animals in the United States, and the first genome recovery and isolation of B.1.1.7 variant of concern globally in any animal.
Abstract Background In early 2020, an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 occurred among passengers and crew of the Diamond Princess cruise ship. During February 16–17, some US citizens, residents, and their partners voluntarily repatriated to the US from Japan. Methods We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal evaluation of repatriated travelers where the outcome of interest was a positive test for SARS-CoV-2. Travelers who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were isolated in hospitals or at home under county isolation orders and underwent serial testing by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approximately every other day, as contemporaneous US guidance required two consecutive negative tests collected ≥24 hours apart and symptom improvement before release from isolation. Results Among quarantined repatriated travelers, 14% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. One-fifth of infected travelers initially tested negative but were identified on subsequent testing. All infected travelers remained asymptomatic or developed mild symptoms during isolation. Many travelers remained in prolonged isolation because of persistent viral detection based on contemporaneous policies. Conclusion Our findings support testing within 3-5 days after possible SARS-CoV-2 exposure to comprehensively identify infections and mitigate transmission and lend support to symptom- and time-based isolation recommendations, rather than test-based criteria.
Background: Zoonotic diseases continue to have adverse global impacts on both human and animal health.A One Health approach that recognizes the need for multisectoral collaboration can mitigate this impact, and is critical to advance global health security.CDC developed a One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization (OHZDP) process that uses a One Health approach to enhance multisectoral selection of priority zoonoses.During a multi-day workshop, representatives from human, animal, and environmental health sectors develop criteria and questions to rank zoonoses; the semi-quantitative methods allow for outcomes in the absence of complete country-level data.The typical workshop goal is to use a multi-sectoral, One Health approach to prioritize emerging and endemic zoonotic diseases that should be jointly addressed by human, animal, and environmental health ministries within a country.Methods: OHZDP data from workshops conducted globally from 2014-2017 were compiled and analyzed to identify themes in workshop disease criteria, prioritized zoonoses lists, and future actionable items discussed during the workshop.Results: From 2014 to 2017, CDC and partners facilitated OHZDP workshops in 18 countries in Africa (n=13), Asia (n = 4), and North America (n =1).All countries selected criteria that captured the epidemic or pandemic potential and the disease severity of each zoonosis.Other common criteria included ability to prevent or control the zoonosis (n = 17), economic impacts associated with losses in production, trade, or travel (n = 16), and the bioterrorism potential of the zoonosis (n = 6).Frequently prioritized zoonotic diseases were rabies (n=17); zoonotic influenza viruses (n=16); anthrax (n=12); brucellosis (n=12); and Ebola or Marburg (n=10).Finally, the most common future action noted was the need to strengthen multi-sectoral, One Health coordination (n =14; 78%). Conclusions:The CDC OHZDP process provides a method for prioritizing zoonotic diseases of national concern while fostering collaboration and developing One Health-based recommendations.Assessing workshop themes not only strengthens One Health at the national level but also supports the development of One Health guidance, tools, and resources to strengthen One Health at the regional and global levels.
Human-to-animal and animal-to-animal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been documented; however, investigations into SARS-CoV-2 transmission in congregate animal settings are lacking. We investigated four animal shelters in the United States that had identified animals with exposure to shelter employees with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Of the 96 cats and dogs with specimens collected, only one dog had detectable SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies; no animal specimens had detectable viral RNA. These data indicate a low probability of human-to-animal transmission events in cats and dogs in shelter settings with early implementation of infection prevention interventions.
Abstract Objective To characterize clinical and epidemiologic features of SARS-CoV-2 in companion animals detected through both passive and active surveillance in the U.S. Animals 204 companion animals (109 cats, 95 dogs) across 33 states with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections between March 2020 and December 2021. Procedures Public health officials, animal health officials, and academic researchers investigating zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 transmission events reported clinical, laboratory and epidemiological information through a standardized One Health surveillance process developed by CDC and partners. Results Among dogs and cats identified through passive surveillance, 94% (n = 87) had reported exposure to a person with COVID-19 before infection. Clinical signs of illness were present in 74% of pets identified through passive surveillance and 27% of pets identified through active surveillance. Duration of illness in pets averaged 15 days in cats and 12 days in dogs. The average time between human and pet onset of illness was 10 days. Viral nucleic acid was first detected at 3 days post exposure in both cats and dogs. Antibodies were detected starting 5 days post exposure and titers were highest at 9 days in cats and 14 days in dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Our data support that cats and dogs primarily become infected with SARS-CoV-2 following exposure to a person with COVID-19, most often their owners. Case investigation and surveillance that includes both people and animals is necessary to understand transmission dynamics and viral evolution of zoonotic diseases like SARS-CoV-2.
The natural infections and epidemiological roles of household pets in SARS-CoV-2 transmission are not understood. We conducted a longitudinal study of dogs and cats living with at least one SARS-CoV-2 infected human in Texas and found 47.1% of 17 cats and 15.3% of 59 dogs from 25.6% of 39 households were positive for SARS-CoV-2 via RT-PCR and genome sequencing or neutralizing antibodies. Virus was isolated from one cat. The majority (82.4%) of infected pets were asymptomatic. Re-sampling of one infected cat showed persistence of viral RNA at least 32 d-post human diagnosis (25 d-post initial test). Across 15 antibody-positive animals, titers increased (33.3%), decreased (33.3%) or were stable (33.3%) over time. A One Health approach is informative for prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
The One Health concept recognizes that the health of humans is connected to the health of animals and the environment. An interdisciplinary One Health approach involving human, animal, and environmental health partners worldwide is critical to address current public health issues, which include emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases. The book One Health: People, Animals, and the Environment reviews core concepts of One Health and highlights key One Health issues of public health importance.
The book comprises 5 sections. The first section covers the need for a One Health approach and reasons such an approach is important. Topics include the human–animal interface, ecologic approaches to studying zoonoses, and the role of wildlife in emerging infectious diseases. The second section covers zoonotic and environmental drivers of emerging infectious diseases. This section includes an overview of the interconnectedness of human and animal pathogens for several timely One Health events and describes the emergence of influenza viruses across the species barrier; rabies control; foodborne diseases and transmission among humans, animals, and plants; environmental reservoirs of cholera; and the role of human activity on the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats. The rest of the book is devoted to causes behind the emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance and the need for disease surveillance that can identify pathogens crossing animal–human interfaces to provide early warning of new public health challenges and describes new technologies and approaches for public health surveillance, and the challenge of making One Health a reality. The editors share several examples of successful applications of the One Health approach to highlight the impact of collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health partners. Remaining challenges of implementing a One Health approach are also presented in the context of thwarting the threat of emerging infectious diseases. Throughout the book, the editors provide case histories of notable recent zoonotic infections, which provide real-world examples of implementing a One Health approach for diseases such as West Nile virus disease, hantavirus, Lyme disease, and severe acute respiratory syndrome.
The availability of texts describing the One Health approach is important, and this book provides a concise overview of One Health from the infectious disease perspective. Although this book focuses on the role of One Health specifically for emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, it is a valuable introduction to the field of One Health. The book applies to a wide audience—physicians, veterinarians, environmental scientists, public health officials, policy makers, and students. It is a useful resource for those who want a better understanding of One Health and their role in the One Health movement. The One Health concept continues to gain recognition as a critical tool to address public health issues at the animal–human-ecosystem interface to have the biggest impact on improving health for all. In the words of the editors, “the One Health approach is simply too important to ignore.”
Objective. A higher incidence of infectious disease has been documented in U.S. regions bordering Mexico compared with non-border areas. We assessed the prevalence of important gastrointestinal infections in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, the largest binational community along the U.S.-Mexico border. Methods. Fecal specimens from a sample of the asymptomatic population representing all ages were tested for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., and other intestinal parasitic pathogens using flotation, immunoassays, and/or polymerase chain reaction. We also measured indicators of microbiological contamination of drinking water, hands of food preparers, and kitchen surfaces. Results. Overall, of the 386 participants, H. pylori was present in 38.2%, Taenia spp. in 3.3%, Giardia spp. in 2.7%, Cryptosporidium spp. in 1.9%, Entamoeba dispar in 1.3%, and Ascaris lumbricoides and Necator americanus in 0.3% of the study subjects; Cyclospora spp. and Entamoeba histolytica were not found. H. pylori infection was associated with handwashing (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0, 1.8). Taenia spp. was found more often on the U.S. side (PR=8.6, 95% CI 2.3, 30.8). We did not find an association between these infections and the occurrence of total coliforms or fecal coliforms on kitchen surfaces. In addition, Escherichia coli was not found in any drinking water sample. Conclusion. The study results indicated that H. pylori and Taenia spp. infections may be highly prevalent along the U.S.-Mexico border. Additional research is necessary to adequately characterize the prevalence, as well as determine whether interventions that reduce these infections are warranted.
