Can pets have an omicron variable? | Health | magazine

The World Health Organization (WHO) said this week that cases of COVID-19 linked to the omicron variant, which are more contagious than previous strains of the coronavirus, are already 90% of those analyzed in laboratories around the world.

In any case, the organization reiterates that there appears to be a “lower risk of serious illness and death” in those with the omicron variant, despite the sharp increase in cases that, with record numbers of infections worldwide, have added to the pressure. for many health systems.

The ability of the omicron variant to evade the immunity given by vaccines and antibodies to theoretically recovered patients is, according to the World Health Organization, the main factor that explains the massive rise in infections that the current wave has produced.

In the midst of this, questions are being raised about whether the new alternative can affect the health of pets. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the coronavirus can spread from humans to animals during close contact.

There are reports of animals infected with SARS-CoV-2 documented around the world. Many of these animals became infected after coming into contact with people infected with COVID-19, such as their owners, caretakers or other people they had close contact with.

Therefore, people infected with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are advised to avoid contact with animals, including pets (such as dogs and cats), livestock and wildlife.

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The Mayo Clinic in the United States reports that of the small number of dogs and cats that have been confirmed to have the virus that causes COVID-19, some have not shown any signs of illness. Pets that contracted the disease experienced only mild symptoms and were able to receive care at home. None of them died.

However, to protect pets from the coronavirus, he issued some recommendations:

• Do not allow your dog or cat to interact with people or animals outside your home.
• Avoid dog parks or public places where large numbers of people and dogs gather.
• When you walk your dog, make sure he is on a leash and keep him at least two meters away from people and other animals.
• Put cats indoors when possible. (I)