Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Science / Health/  WHO warns of aminal to human COVID transmission; lists 7 key steps to stop spread of new variants
BackBack

WHO warns of aminal to human COVID transmission; lists 7 key steps to stop spread of new variants

The spread of COVID in animal populations can affect the health of these populations and may facilitate the emergence of new virus variants, WHO said

Coronavirus has infected minks, hamsters. In North America, it has infected wild whitetail deer. (AFP)Premium
Coronavirus has infected minks, hamsters. In North America, it has infected wild whitetail deer. (AFP)

After several studies have suggested that the next COVID variant might be transmitted from animals, the World Health Organisation pointed out that steps need to be taken to ensure that coronavirus does not transmit from animals to humans. This comes at a time when coronavirus has infected minks, hamsters. In North America, it has infected wild whitetail deer. Now researchers are wondering whether it might infiltrate even more species than it is known to and then move back to humans again, potentially bringing new and dangerous COVID variants.

Sounding a warning regarding the same, WHO's Maria Van Kerkhove said, We must all take steps to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the risk of transmission between animals and humans.

The WHO in a statement said, Although the COVID-19 pandemic is driven by human-to-human transmission, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is also known to infect animal species. Current knowledge indicates that wildlife does not play a significant role in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in humans, but spread in animal populations can affect the health of these populations and may facilitate the emergence of new virus variants.

In addition to domestic animals, free-ranging, captive or farmed wild animals such as big cats, minks, ferrets, North American white-tailed deer and great apes have thus far been observed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2. To date, farmed mink and pet hamsters have been shown to be capable of infecting humans with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and a potential case of transmission between white-tailed deer and a human is currently under review, it also added.

The UN health agency further urged countries to take steps to ensure that animal to human transmission does not happen. The steps include: 

  • We furthermore encourage countries’ national animal and human health services to adopt the following measures:
  • Encourage collaboration between national veterinary services and national wildlife authorities, whose partnership is key to promoting animal health and safeguarding human and environmental health.
  • Promote monitoring of wildlife and encourage sampling of wild animals known to be potentially susceptible to SARS-CoV-2.
  • Share all genetic sequence data from animal surveillance studies through publicly available databases.
  • Report confirmed animal cases of SARS-CoV-2 to the OIE through the World Animal Health Information System (OIE-WAHIS).
  • Craft messages about SARS-CoV-2 in animals with care so that inaccurate public perceptions do not negatively impact conservation efforts. No animal found to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 should be abandoned, rejected, or killed without providing justification from a country- or event-specific risk assessment.
  • Suspend the sale of captured live wild mammals in food markets as an emergency measure.

 

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 07 Mar 2022, 10:00 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App