Exposure of Humans or Animals to Sars-Cov-2 from Wild, Livestock, Companion and Aquatic Animals: Qualitative Exposure Assessment

Understanding the risk of exposure of humans or animals to SARS-CoV-2 from animals and their products is essential for containing virus spread, prioritizing research, protecting food systems, and informing national One Health investigations and mitigation measures. This Qualitative Exposure Assessment provides a comprehensive review of available scientific evidence and assessment of exposure risk from different wild or domestic animal species. Results can inform country-level risk assessment and provide the evidence base for targeted SARS-CoV-2 investigations in animals and mitigation options.

This publication provides:

I. assessment of the risk of human or animal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 through contact with, handling or consumption of wild, domestic and aquatic animal species or their products;

II. identification of current knowledge gaps regarding the zoonotic origin or animal-human spillover of SARS-CoV-2 and recommendations on priority studies;

III. summary of available evidence for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility of different animal species;

IV. evidence-based recommendations on how to prioritize animal species for targeted field investigations or research studies;

V. recommendations for targeted One Health investigations and epidemiological, laboratory, anthropological or seasonality studies to fill critical knowledge gaps evidenced by this exposure assessment.